Psalms 12
Chuck Smith · Sunday Nights, 1979 to 1985 (C2000)
Psalms 1-15
Chuck Smith · Sunday Nights, 1985 to 1999 (C3000)
Psalms 10-16
Raul Ries · Through the Bible
Psalms 12-15
Raul Ries · Psalms In-Depth (Chapters 1-20), 1995
Psalm 12
Chuck Smith on Psalms 12
Verse by verse, taught on Sunday nights: the C2000 series, 1979 to 1985. Permission granted by The Word For Today.
Chapter introduction
The chief musician upon octaves, the psalm of David. Psalm 12.
Verse 1
Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men (12:1).
Remember when Elijah said, "Lord, they have all bowed their knee to Baal and I, only I am left. Lord, the righteous man ceases. There is none left."
"Help, Lord. The faithful fail from among children of men."
Verse 2
They speak emptiness every one with his neighbor: with flattering lips and a double heart do they speak (12:2).
He has been around Hollywood.
Verses 3–5
The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue of those that speak proud things: who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us? For the oppression of the poor, and for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD (12:3-5);
So God's answer. He is praying, "Help, Lord. The godly ceaseth. People are just, you know, speaking vanity, everyone with his neighbor, flattering, and they are saying 'Hey, we'll do it with our lips, you know. We'll prevail with our tongues and all.'" And so God answers, "For the oppression of the poor and for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord."
Verse 5
I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him (12:5).
Verses 6–8
And so the psalmist responds,
The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted (12:6-8).