Psalms
Summary
Psalm 12 is a prayer for help in a generation where the "godly man ceases" and "the faithful fail." The psalmist laments the prevalence of flattering lips and double hearts, where people speak vanity to their neighbours and boast in their own tongues. He records God's promise to arise because of the "oppression of the poor" and the "groaning of the needy." In stark contrast to the deceitful words of men, the psalm declares that "the words of the LORD are pure words," like silver refined seven times. It ends with a plea for God to preserve the godly from this generation.
Help, LORD, for the godly man ceases; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.
They speak vanity every one with his neighbour; with flattering lips and with a double heart they speak.
The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaks proud things,
who have said, "With our tongue we will prevail; our lips are our own; who is lord over us?"
"For the oppression of the poor, for the groaning of the needy, now I will arise," says the LORD; "I will set him in safety from him who sneers at him."
The words of the LORD are pure words, as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
You shall keep them, O LORD; you shall preserve them from this generation for ever.
The wicked walk on every side when vileness is exalted among the sons of men.