Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary < PSALM 12
Ps 12:1-8. On title, see [575]Introduction and see on [576]Ps 6:1. The Psalmist laments the decrease of good men. The pride and deceit of the wicked provokes God's wrath, whose promise to avenge the cause of pious sufferers will be verified even amidst prevailing iniquity. 1. the faithful—or literally, "faithfulness" (Ps 31:23). They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. 2. The want of it is illustrated by the prevalence of deceit and instability.
The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: 3, 4. Boasting (Da 7:25) is, like flattery, a species of lying.
lips, and … tongue—for persons. Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?
For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him. 5. The writer intimates his confidence by depicting God's actions (compare Ps 9:19; 10:12) as coming to save the poor at whom the wicked sneer (Ps 10:5).
The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. 6. The words—literally, "saying of" (Ps 12:5).
seven times—thoroughly (Da 3:19). Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. 7. them—(Margin.)
The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted. 8. The wicked roam undisturbed doing evil, when vileness and vile men are exalted. |
