April 11, 2023 -- Psalm 12 -- The Psalm Series: A chorus calling for God's help

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

To the choirmaster: according to The Sheminith. A Psalm of David.

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.

Psalm 12 ESV

Here we are again! Another Psalm which laments the pervasiveness of the wicked. The godless are so many it seems to the Psalm-writer as if “the faithfulness have vanished from among the children of man” (verse 1). Look at the notation above the beginning of the Psalm. There is an instruction for the choirmaster. That means this is a psalm that is meant to be sung by the people who have gathered for worship. It is something the people must learn and sing repeatedly. Why?

The recognition of the flood of wickedness will result in the people of God crying out the LORD. When people gather for worship they are prepared for the day of trouble when godlessness and temptations rise up and engulf them.

The judgment of God against the wicked will be measured out in full (verse 3). Either here on earth, or when Jesus Christ returns.

Those who are in poverty, helpless before those who are abusive in their power, will receive special attention from the LORD (verse 5).

The word of the LORD is completely trustworthy (verse 6). This emphasis is needed because the gap in time between the utterance of this prayer and the coming of the LORD’s justice can make it seem like the LORD is either not answering or listening.

This psalm keeps the believer from thinking characters in the Bible times had it easy. They' didn’t. One must always rely on the power of the Spirit to reveal the beauty of the Word of God—the written word and the Living Word, Jesus.

The response of Christians while facing great hardship is a testimony to the world that greater is He Who is in us than he who is in the world (I John 4:4).

Our Father in heaven blessed be Your Name. You are terrible in splendor. The godly receive Your protection while the godless will experience Your just and swift retribution. Savior of Your people arise and give the protection You have promised. LORD, Whose every word is trustworthy, send Your Spirit so that believers will once again be reminded of the words of Jesus and the greatness of the protection which is found in Him. Teach us as believers the appropriate fear of the LORD which keeps us from all wrong pathways. LORD of lords and King of kings, teach Your people faithfulness in gathering for worship, as well as the hope and blessedness to be found in ascribing to You the praise and honour due Your Name. Amen.

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