5. The writer intimates his confidence by depicting God's actions (compare Psalms 9:19; Psalms 10:12) as coming to save the poor at whom the wicked sneer (Psalms 10:12- :). read more
6. The words—literally, "saying of" (Psalms 12:5). seven times—thoroughly (Daniel 3:19). read more
8. The wicked roam undisturbed doing evil, when vileness and vile men are exalted. read more
1. Plea for deliverance 12:1-4The multitude of liars and deceivers that surrounded David moved him to cry out to God for deliverance for the godly minority. read more
Psalms 12David placed great confidence in the promises of God to deliver those who look to Him for salvation. This was not easy for the psalmist to do, since in his day powerful wicked people were taking advantage of the weak and vulnerable (cf. Psalms 11:3). The genre of this psalm is probably a community lament with a statement of confidence in God. read more
David wished the Lord would end the flattery and arrogant claims of those around him. They confidently believed they could accomplish anything they chose to do by their lies and deception. They also repudiated any restraint of their free speech (cf. James 3:5). read more
2. Assurance of deliverance 12:5We do not know how David received the assurance that God would deal with the liars that troubled him. It was a prophetic insight, and it may have come directly from God or through another prophet. However, in view of the verses that follow, the psalmist perceived it as an authoritative promise from God. This is the first of several psalms that contain an answering oracle from the Lord (cf. Psalms 60, 81, 95). read more
In contrast to the promises of the liars that so frustrated David, the Lord’s promise that he had received (Psalms 12:5) was absolutely pure (flawless) and very precious. He could rely on it completely. Seven was the number the Israelites associated with the perfect work of God, going back to the creation of the cosmos in seven days. read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Psalms 12:3
3, 4. Boasting ( :-) is, like flattery, a species of lying. lips, and . . . tongue—for persons. read more