Psalm 12

 Psalm 12

Psalm presents an answer of the LORD to two challenges: (1) lips and tongues; (2) perversion of justice.

David begins with a call to save (v. 1).

Ultimately, the psalm describes a situation of life for a godly person in an extremely ungodly society. Similar account we will find later in the Songs of Ascent (Psalms 120 – 134). The whole series begins with the almost identical claims – lying lips and deceitful tongue (Psalm 120:2). Knowing that the words are prime means of interaction, the society is in deep … trouble when all the people are lying, flattering, and boasting.   

 

vv. 2-4 lips and tongues.

Lips in the Bible are symbols of worship. See Ps. 51:15. It is the Lord who opens the lips (+). 

When the lips are properly opened, then we can share the words – creating the culture of life around us using our tongues.  

But it can be used otherwise too. The parade example of lips and tongues/mouth destructive powers is the story of the Tower of Babel, Genesis 11:1-10.

When lips are sharing vanities (better than lies v. 2a) and hearts are “doubled,” meaning have double standards, then the society can be fixed only by God. So, He comes and talks (vv. 5-6). 

 

vv. 5-6, LORD fixes justice in the land by His WORD.

The LORD identified the poor and needy – providing safety for him. Those who are poor – they are needy. The problem is solved by the word of God. The word is a conversational speech. The Hebrew language has three main words to describe a speech: to converse, to [give a] talk, to instruct (as a parent to a disobedient child). Here we have the first one – God brings His words in the midst of the people, so humans can interact with Him. In the past God would send prophets to talk to men. Who is the Word of God, who walked and talked among the people? Jesus – John 1:1-3, 14, 18.     

v. 7, Call upon the LORD to guard.

The idea of guarding is expressed in two verbs: to keep and to preserve. To keep is to defend from an assault. To preserve is to protect from the inner rottenness or corrosion. There are always two main challenges for the Church – attacks from outside and hypocrisy within. See Nehemiah 4:15-20, Israelites constructing the walls of Jerusalem.    

v. 8 not “a happy ever after”

David gives a realistic picture. Until the very end – the Second coming of Christ – the faithful ones (v. 1) will be under stress from the wicked. They are going to paise what should’ve been despised. As a result, the wicked walk around freely. This sad reality makes our desire to see Jesus sooner even stronger. For the wicked don’t give up easily. As Dr. Luther commented: “This does not happen without cross and agony. As silver is purified in the fire, so the saints also must suffer in the meantime, and by this means become even more pure and perceive the truth so much more clearly.” (Reading the Psalms with Luther, p. 36).