Psalm 12:3-8

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 12:8

The wicked walk on every side . This can scarcely have been intended as an independent clause, though grammatically it stands alone. It is best to supply "while" or "though" before "the wicked," as Dr. Kay does, and to translate, Though (or, while ) wicked men march to and fro on all sides ; i.e. while they have their way, and control all other men's incomings and out-goings, being free themselves. When the vilest men are exalted; rather, and though villainy ( זֻלּוֹת ) ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 12:3

The Lord shall cut off - This might be rendered, “May the Lord cut off,” implying a wish on the part of the psalmist that it might occur. But probably the common rendering is the correct one. It is the statement of a solemn truth, designed for warning, that all such persons would be punished.All flattering lips - The meaning is, that he will cut off all “persons” who use flattery; that is, he will cut them off from the favors which he will show to his own people, or will punish them. The word... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 12:4

Who have said - Who habitually say. This does not mean that they had formally and openly said this - for none would be likely to do so - but that they had practically and really said this by their conduct. They acted as if it were the real principle on which they framed their lives, that they might use their tongues as they pleased.With our tongue - literally, “as to,” or “in respect to our tongue;” that is, by our tongue. It was by the tongue that they expected to accomplish their purposes. It... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 12:5

For the oppression of the poor - That is, on account of the wrong done to the poor in the manner specified above - by the abuse of the power of speech. On account of the slanders uttered against them, or the frauds perpetrated on them by the abuse of this power. The reference is to the wrongs done when no confidence could be placed in men’s words; when they uttered words of “vanity” and “flattery” Psalms 12:2; when promises were made only to be broken, and obligations assumed never to be... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 12:6

The words of the Lord - In contrast with the words of the persons referred to in Psalms 12:2-4. Their words were vanity, flattery, and falsehood; and no reliance could be placed on them. In contrast with these words, the words of the Lord were pure. They were to be relied on. All his sayings were true and faithful. The design is to bring his words into contrast with the sayings of such men, and to show how much more safety there is in relying on his promises than on the promises made by such... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 12:7

“Thou shalt keep them That is, the persons referred to in Psalms 12:5 - the poor and the needy who were suffering from the wrongs inflicted on them. The idea is, that God would guard and defend them. They were safe in his hands. Compare Psalms 37:3-7.From this generation - This generation, or this race of detractors, flatterers, and oppressors. The idea is, that that entire generation was eminently wicked, and that none but God could deliver the poor and the needy from their designs.Forever -... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 12:8

The wicked walk on every side - Everywhere. They have full license, or seem to be wholly unrestrained.When the vilest men are exalted - Margin, “The vilest of the sons of men are exalted.” This expression has been very variously translated. Dr. Horsley renders it, “When the scorn of the sons of men is exalted.” De Wette, “They exalt themselves; terror to the sons of men.” Luther, “Where such wicked people rule among the sons of men.” Hengstenberg, “Like exaltation is disgrace to the sons of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 12:3

Psalms 12:3 . The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips All such as speak kind things to any one, at the same time that they mean quite the contrary in their hearts; and the tongue that speaketh proud things Hebrew, גדלות , gedoleth, great things, or, great words, boasting what they have done, or declaring, or threatening what they will do, and what great things they will effect, namely, with their tongues, as they themselves explain it in the next words. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 12:4

Psalms 12:4. With our tongues will we prevail By raising and spreading evil reports concerning him. We will have the better of all that oppose us; and our tongues are the instruments whereby we will get the victory. Our lips are our own At our own disposal to speak what we please. Who is lord over us? Who can, or has any right to control us; or to call us to an account? read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 12:5

Psalms 12:5. For the oppression of the poor Because the poor that put their trust in me, and send up their prayers to me for help, are thus oppressed; now will I arise, saith the Lord Speedily, sooner than they imagine or expect. I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him That despises him, and hopes to destroy him with a puff of breath. “The beauty and energy of this fine prosopopœia,” says Dr. Dodd, “must be felt by every reader.” When oppressors are in the height of their... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 12:8

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 12:3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 12:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 12:5

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 12:6

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 12:7

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 12:8

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 12:3

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 12:4

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 12:5

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