Psalms 12

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, David Brown (1871). Conservative evangelical (Church of Scotland and Anglican); concise and critical.

Introduction to chapter 12

On title, see Introduction and see on Psa 6:1. The Psalmist laments the decrease of good men. The pride and deceit of the wicked provokes God's wrath, whose promise to avenge the cause of pious sufferers will be verified even amidst prevailing iniquity. (Psa 12:1-8)

the faithful — or literally, "faithfulness" (Psa 31:23).

Psalms 12:2

The want of it is illustrated by the prevalence of deceit and instability.

Psalms 12:3

Boasting (Dan 7:25) is, like flattery, a species of lying.

lips, and . . . tongue — for persons.

Psalms 12:5

The writer intimates his confidence by depicting God's actions (compare Psa 9:19; Psa 10:12) as coming to save the poor at whom the wicked sneer (Psa 10:5).

Psalms 12:6

The words — literally, "saying of" (Psa 12:5).

seven times — thoroughly (Dan 3:19).

Psalms 12:7

them — (Margin.)

Psalms 12:8

The wicked roam undisturbed doing evil, when vileness and vile men are exalted.

Public domain text from the HelloAO Free Use Bible API. Bible references link to the King James text.