The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 12:1-8

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

Lamentation 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 enthroned in the national heart. But God had not left himself without a witness." Prophets and seers had already declared the Divine word of promise, that the righteous cause should be upheld and vindicated.

I. A DARK PICTURE OF DEPRAVED SOCIETY.

1. There were few conspicuous for righteousness. (Psalms 12:1.) Not that they had entirely ceased, but that they were fewer than they used to be. "Say not that the former times were better than these." Guard against this natural tendency—natural especially to men who are growing old.

2. The prevalence of unscrupulous falsehood. (Psalms 12:2.) Lies and flattery and deceit. A disregard for truth was widely spread, one of the sins most destructive of social life. This spirit of falsehood infested their most intimate relations—"every one with his neighbour "—and would corrupt at last even the family relations.

3. They worshipped that which won for them their evil success. (Psalms 12:3, Psalms 12:4.) Lying and deceit—the evil power of the tongue—prevailing for the time, made them feel that they were their own lords, that there was no higher power above them.

II. THE PSALMIST CONSOLES HIMSELF WITH THE DIVINE PROMISE OF PROTECTION. (Psalms 12:5.)

1. That promise inspires him to pray for its fulfilment. (Psalms 12:1-3.) All true prayer bases itself on the Divine promise. "If we ask according to his will, we know that God heareth us"

2. The Divine promise is pure from the alloy that corrupts the words of men. (Psalms 12:6.) It has no admixture of flattery and deceit as the words of men have. "God cannot lie."

3. That promise guarantees them protection, even when wickedness walks in high places. (Psalms 12:7, Psalms 12:8.) Wickedness is most alluring when in high places; but if God helps us to see that it is wickedness, and keeps our consciences clear and active, we are effectually protected from it. The defence against wickedness must be a Divine work within us as well as without us.—S.

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