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Psalms 12:1-8

The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 12:1-8

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

EXPOSITION

ANOTHER Davidical psalm, both according to the title and to the general opinion of critics; said (like .) to be "upon Sheminith"—an expression of uncertain meaning. It consists of a complaint (, ), a menace (, ), and a promise (). Metrically, it seems to divide itself into four stanzas—the first, second, and fourth, of four lines each; the third, of six lines. There is nothing to mark definitely the time of the composition; but its position in the Psalter, and its general resemblance to the psalms which precede, point to the period of David's residence at the court of Saul.

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Matthew Henry on Psalms 12:1-8Psalms 12:1-8 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryThis psalm furnishes good thoughts for bad times; a man may comfort himself with such meditations and prayers. Let us see what makes the times bad, and when they may be said to be so. Ask the children of this world, Wha…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 12:1Psalms 12:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryHelp, Lord; rather, Save, Lord, as in the margin (comp. Psalms 20:9; Psalms 28:9; Psalms 60:5, etc.). For the godly man ceaseth. "Ceaseth," i.e; "out of the land "—either slain or driven into exile. We must make allowan…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 12:1-8Psalms 12:1-8 · The Pulpit CommentaryHard, times. This psalm has no indication of the time in which it was written. £ At whatever time, however, it may have been penned, there is no doubt about the general features of the age here represented. It was one i…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 12:1-8Psalms 12:1-8 · The Pulpit CommentaryChristian growth. I. TROUBLE MOVES MEN TO PRAYER. (Psalms 12:1.) As the child instinctively cries to its father, so we cry to God. Society may wax worse and worse. The righteous may fail out of the land. It is hard to s…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 12:1-8Psalms 12:1-8 · The Pulpit CommentaryLamentation over the growing corruption of the nation. "The psalmist is appalled by the rottenness of society around him; unscrupulous ambition appears to rule supreme; truth is scorned as folly, and the god of lies is…
commentaryMatthew Henry on Psalms 12:1-8This psalm furnishes good thoughts for bad times; a man may comfort himself with such meditations and prayers. Let us see what makes the times bad, and when they may be said to be so. Ask the children of this world, Wha…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 12:1Help, Lord; rather, Save, Lord, as in the margin (comp. Psalms 20:9; Psalms 28:9; Psalms 60:5, etc.). For the godly man ceaseth. "Ceaseth," i.e; "out of the land "—either slain or driven into exile. We must make allowan…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 12:1-8Lamentation over the growing corruption of the nation. "The psalmist is appalled by the rottenness of society around him; unscrupulous ambition appears to rule supreme; truth is scorned as folly, and the god of lies is…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 12:1-8Hard, times. This psalm has no indication of the time in which it was written. £ At whatever time, however, it may have been penned, there is no doubt about the general features of the age here represented. It was one i…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 12:1-8Christian growth. I. TROUBLE MOVES MEN TO PRAYER. (Psalms 12:1.) As the child instinctively cries to its father, so we cry to God. Society may wax worse and worse. The righteous may fail out of the land. It is hard to s…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 12:2They speak vanity every one with his neighbour; rather, they speak falsehood (Kay, Cheyne). Contrast the injunction of the apostle (Ephesians 4:25). With flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak; literally,…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 12:3The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips. The complaint having been made, a threat follows (comp. Psalms 10:15; Psalms 11:6; Psalms 17:13, etc.). The men who flatter with their lips, beguiling and cozening their victi…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 12:4Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; or, through our tongues are we powerful; i.e. whatever we desire we can accomplish through our tongues—by persuasion, or by menaces, or by skill in argument. Success in pl…Joseph S. Exell and contributors