Psalm 12 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
1 Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.
2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.
3 The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:
4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?
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.
6 The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
7 Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
8 The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.
Key Takeaways from This Psalm:
Psalm 12:6
Verse: נִשְׁמַע דְּבַר יְהוָה, טָהוֹר כַּכֶּסֶף
Transliteration: Nishma d’var Adonai, tahor k’kesef
English: “The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground.”
Focus Word: טָהוֹר (Tahor)
- Root: ט-ה-ר (Tet-He-Resh)
- Meaning: “Pure,” “clean,” “undefiled.”
- Deeper Insight: Spiritual and moral purity. God’s word is unblemished and trustworthy, setting a standard for human conduct.
Biblical Scholars on This Chapter:
| Scholar (Institution & Dates) | Work | View on Psalm 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Thomas Manton (Christ’s College, Cambridge, 1620–1677) | Exposition of the Psalms | Manton interprets the Psalm as a plea for God’s intervention against liars and the morally corrupt. |
| John Owen (University of Oxford, 1616–1683) | A Commentary on the Psalms | Owen highlights the Psalm as illustrating God’s deliverance for those oppressed by the deceitful. |
| Matthew Henry (Christ Church, Oxford, 1662–1714) | Exposition of the Old and New Testament | Henry stresses reliance on God to preserve truth and protect the faithful from falsehood. |
| John Lightfoot (Jesus College, Cambridge, 1602–1675) | Commentarius Hebraicus in Psalmos | Lightfoot interprets it as a call to trust God’s care when human integrity fails. |
| Richard Baxter (University of Cambridge, 1615–1691) | Paraphrase and Notes on the Psalms | Baxter emphasizes prayer for divine protection against widespread deceit and the triumph of righteousness. |
Psalms Chapter 12 Devotional
Have you ever felt all alone doing the right ?
Have you ever felt like some people prosper doing the wrong things, and you do not prosper while doing the right ?
Well, God, in His wisdom, inspired the psalmist to pen this particular scripture to give us the understanding that He is righteous. And even when it seems like people prosper in their way God will eventually arise, because you see, the cup of their iniquity has to become full before God performs his judgment.
God is very merciful. And so you can look at somebody and say, "Okay, they're doing and God is not doing anything."
No, you have to understand that God is desiring for them to turn from their ways.
But if they do not, there comes a time when God will arise and vindicate His people. And here in this Scripture we see the psalmist say for the ceases, meaning there is no that would seek to live godly and faithful feel from all among the children of men.
But we see that the shall cut off the flattering and the that speaks . God essentially arises. And sometimes when you're doing the right , you don't see the good out of it.
But this is what we know from another : I've never seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed, begging for bread.
God will arise; he will arise and do good.
The Bible says that his words are . His words are true words.
Sometimes people speak out of their , and the seem to prosper, but God will arise to do good unto you.
Though the and the , God will arise.
Though the wicked speak , and it seems as if their ways are prospering, God will arise.
For the Bible in says that He shall stop the flattering
In The Scripture also says that he will set in , the one who is poor and needy, against the ones who are prideful against him. You know, sometimes the wicked think that they can do whatever they want to do with those who are of less estate.
But God fights the cause of the poor and the needy.
You see, when you humble yourself by the power of the , you put yourself in that kind of a position and when God sees that He arises on your behalf. God will arise on your behalf, vindicate you and protect you. Only put your trust in Him, keeping His commandments and you will see the salvation of the .
More from Biblical Scholars on This Psalm:
| Scholar & Work | View |
|---|---|
| John Calvin – Commentary on the Psalms | Calvin sees a world where truth has nearly vanished. God responds by defending the oppressed. His words remain pure and trustworthy. |
| Matthew Henry – Exposition on the Psalms | Henry interprets the psalm as lamenting widespread deceit. God arises to save the poor. His promises stand firm despite human falsehood. |
| Albert Barnes – Notes on the Psalms | Barnes views the psalm as contrasting human lies with God’s purity. The psalmist laments moral decay. God preserves the faithful. |
| Franz Delitzsch – Commentary on the Psalms | Delitzsch sees the psalm as exposing the pride and deceit of the wicked. God’s pure speech provides the remedy. The oppressed are protected. |
| C. F. Keil – Keil & Delitzsch Commentary | Keil interprets the psalm as lamenting societal corruption. God’s words stand in contrast to human flattery. The faithful find safety in Him. |
| J. J. Stewart Perowne – The Psalms | Perowne views the psalm as a cry for help amid moral collapse. God’s word is pure like refined silver. He guards His people. |
| William Binnie – The Psalms | Binnie sees the psalm as lament over deceit. God’s faithful word endures. The righteous are sheltered under His protection. |
| Hermann Gunkel – Die Psalmen | Gunkel interprets the psalm as complaint against lying lips. God responds with decisive help. His words stand above human corruption. |
| James G. Murphy – Commentary on the Psalms | Murphy sees the psalm as highlighting human falsehood. God’s words provide stability. The faithful trust in His promises. |
| Christopher Wordsworth – Commentary on the Psalms | Wordsworth interprets the psalm as the Church surrounded by deceit. God’s pure word becomes her refuge. His protection is sure. |
