Psalms 12
Psalms 12 is part of “Book I: The Genesis Book” (1–41) in the outline of Psalms.
Psalms 12 summary
It is supposed that David penned this psalm in Saul's reign, when there was a general decay of honesty and piety both in court and country, which he here complains of to God, and very feelingly, for he himself suffered by the treachery of his false friends and the insolence of his sworn enemies. I. He begs help of God, because there were none among men whom he durst trust (Psa 12:1, Psa 12:2). II.
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It is supposed that David penned this psalm in Saul's reign, when there was a general decay of honesty and piety both in court and country, which he here complains of to God, and very feelingly, for he himself suffered by the treachery of his false friends and the insolence of his sworn enemies. I. He begs help of God, because there were none among men whom he durst trust (Psa 12:1, Psa 12:2). II. He foretels the destruction of his proud and threatening enemies (Psa 12:3, Psa 12:4). III. He assures himself and others that, how ill soever things went now (Psa 12:8), God would preserve and secure to himself his own people (Psa 12:5, Psa 12:7), and would certainly make good his promises to them (Psa 12:6). Whether this psalm was penned in Saul's reign or no, it is certainly calculated for a bad reign; and perhaps David, in spirit foresaw that some of his successors would bring things to as bad a pass as is here described, and treasured up this psalm for the use of the church then. "O tempora, O mores! - Oh the times! Oh the manners!" To the chief musician upon Sheminith. A psalm of David.
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Psalms 12 (GNV)
Geneva Bible 1599 (public domain)
The Faithful Have Vanished
1To him that excelleth upon the eight tune. A Psalme of Dauid. Helpe Lord, for there is not a godly man left: for the faithfull are fayled from among the children of men. 2They speake deceitfully euery one with his neighbour, flattering with their lips, and speake with a double heart. 3The Lord cut off all flattering lippes, and the tongue that speaketh proude things: 4Which haue saide, With our tongue will we preuaile: our lippes are our owne: who is Lord ouer vs? 5Now for the oppression of the needy, and for the sighes of the poore, I will vp, sayeth the Lord, and will set at libertie him, whom the wicked hath snared. 6The wordes of the Lord are pure wordes, as the siluer, tried in a fornace of earth, fined seuen folde. 7Thou wilt keepe them, O Lord: thou wilt preserue him from this generation for euer. 8The wicked walke on euery side: when they are exalted, it is a shame for the sonnes of men.