A Study in Psalms Psalm 12

1 ¶ <<To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David.>> Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.

• A prayer when no one can be found who is righteous – David was in constant danger from his ungodly enemies, especially King Saul, who was trying to kill him.

• It is common for us today to be working with and associating with people who do not trust God – it can seem like there aren't any and that we are surrounded with ungodliness

• We live in a time where all around us we see the world decaying and turning completely away from God. Our country is throwing off anything to do with God and as a result will fall

• Who do we turn to? We turn to God, who is our help “Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” Ps 124:8

2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.

• Those who lie and cheat to get ahead or to gain favour with others. Flattery is one form of dishonesty

• Most of the world today are dishonest and say whatever they decide will bring them the most gain. Their words are empty – a vanity

3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:

• God will not tolerate evil forever. All those who refuse to trust him through his Son, Jesus Christ, will be cut off – sent to the Lake of Fire that was prepared for Satan and his angels

4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?

• The world runs on the false idea that they can create their own reality and talk their way out of anything – nobody will find them out – nobody's watching; but we know that God sees everything, God is sovereign and God is Lord of all “ For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars” 2Ch 16:9

5 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.

• God will put down the proud oppressors; note that every bloodthirsty tyrant will die and have to face God. Tyranny does not last. In the last 100 years we have seen the end of the Russian tyranny, Hitler, Mussolini, Pol Pot, the Taliban, Saddam Hussein and many others on a smaller scale. They seem to triumph for a short time, and then are brought down completely

6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

• God's words are utterly perfect

7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

• God's words are absolute and eternal reality – what God says does not change – his words cannot change because they ARE eternal reality – in other words, THEY ARE

• God will preserve his people (those who trust in him through his Son, Jesus Christ)

8 The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.

• God will preserve his people even in the worst of times. We can always trust God. When we see or hear about those who have amazing faith in the face of terrible oppression, danger and perhaps brutal death, we should not be amazed at their faith, although we should rejoice in it, but we should be amazed at God who gives us whatever we need when we need it, including the faith and strength to stand. “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” Jude 1:24 – 25