Read chapter in full: www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Psalms+012

 

Psalm 12 (ESV)

 

¹  Save, O Lord, for the godly one is gone;
for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man.
² Everyone utters lies to his neighbor;
with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.

³ May the Lord cut off all flattering lips,
the tongue that makes great boasts,
⁴ those who say, “With our tongue we will prevail,
our lips are with us; who is master over us?”

⁵ “Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan,
I will now arise,” says the Lord;
“I will place him in the safety for which he longs.”
⁶ The words of the Lord are pure words,
like silver refined in a furnace on the ground,
purified seven times.

⁷ You, O Lord, will keep them;
you will guard us from this generation forever.
⁸ On every side the wicked prowl,
as vileness is exalted among the children of man.

 

REFLECTION:

1. This psalm emphasizes words spoken by men vs. those spoken by God. David lamented to God the disappearance of the godly and the faithful. Everyone lies, flatters, betrays and boasts; doing anything that will advance their own benefit.  They even plunder the poor.  They proudly think that they could do all that they wish and God has no power to stop them.
2. In contrast, God’s promise is pure words without pretense and deceit. God’s Word has gone through trials and is never changed for God is faithful.  God also knows his children and desires to help them and protect them.
3. Have you ever been troubled or surrounded by lies and pretense? Read this psalm again slowly. Paying attention to men’s words and God’s. Tell God your confidence in his Word—the Bible.

 

PRAYER:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what He wants to tell you.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in your spiritual journal.

 

HYMN:

Psalm 12 – www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8L2vjUMdUg