Psalms 12:1-8 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

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Bible Comments

XII. A Prayer of Faithful Jews against the Arrogant Tongue of the Ungodly.

Psalms 12:1-4. The godly man ceaseth (see Psalms 4:1-5). The wicked acknowledge no responsibility for their words: they say, To our tongues we give might, i.e. free rein.

Psalms 12:5-8. Yahweh declares His intention of rising in defence of the poor and needy. Here the author quotes (unless the identity of the words be mere coincidence) Isaiah 33:10. He relies on a Divine promise there given, to which he now (Psalms 12:5 b) appeals. Well may he rely on the promise, for Yahweh's words are like silver purified from dross seven times over. The Ps. must be very late, if it really quotes Isaiah 33* as Scripture, for that chapter probably belongs to the second century B.C.

Psalms 12:6. furnace on the earth: the words are of unknown meaning.

Related Commentaries of Psalms 12:1

Psalms 12:1-8

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 doublea heart do they speak.

3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proudb 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 puffethc 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 mend are exalted.