PSALM 12:1-8
Introduction:
This psalm is supposed to have been written while Saul was persecuting David, and those who favored his cause. Here David expresses his complaint before the Lord concerning the treachery of his age.
It appears that man has not changed much since David’s time. Everything we find in this psalm can be placed in our day. It is interesting what Amos says of his time many years later: Amos 5:13, “Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time.”
I. WHAT MAKES BAD TIMES? vv. 1-2
A. The world’s view of what makes bad times:
1. Scarcity of money, 1 Timothy 6:10, “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
2. Decay of trade, Genesis 34:21, “These men are peaceable with us; therefore let them dwell in the land, and trade therein; for the land, behold, it is large enough for them; let us take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters.”
3. The desolation of war, Genesis 14:2, “That these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar.”
B. God’s view of what makes bad times, 2 Timothy 3:1, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.”
1. When the godly man ceases and the faithful fail, Jeremiah 5:1, “Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it.”
2. When dissimulation and flattery have corrupted and debauched all conversation, v. 2; Psalm 36:3,4 “The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good. 4- He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.”
a. They speak LIES (vanity), Psalms 10:7, “His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.”
b. They speak with a DOUBLE HEART, v. 2; Proverbs 29:5,“A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.”
II. DAVID DENOUNCES JUDGEMENT UPON THE PROUD vv. 3-4
A. The proud say, “With our tongue will we prevail,” v. 4; Psalms 73:8, “They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.”
1. They speak AGAINST THE LORD, Psalms 139:20, “For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.
2. The enemies of God are very self-confident, Romans 2:19-20, “And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, 20- An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.
C. WHO is lord over us? Exodus 5:2, “And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.”
1. Man is experiencing the REVOLT of the tongue, James 3:6, “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.”
2. The method of its rebellion is FLATTERY and speaking proud things, Job 21:14, “Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.”
III. GOOD THOUGHTS IN BAD TIMES vv. 5-8
A. Now will I arise saith the LORD, v. 5; Psalms 10:12, “Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.”
1. God will say, “enough is enough,” Exodus 2:23, “And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.”
2. I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him, v.5; Psalms 146:7-8, “Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners: 8- The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous:”
B. God’s Word is PURE and TRIED, v. 6; Psalms 18:30, “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.”
1. Man’s words are yea and nay, but the Lord’s promises are yea and amen, Proverbs 30:5, “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.”
2. His Word is purified SEVEN TIMES:
“In the original there is an allusion to the most severely purifying process known to the ancients, through which silver was passed when the greatest possible purity was desired; the dross was all consumed, and only the bright and precious metal remained; so clear and free from all alloy of error or unfaithfulness is the book of the words of the Lord.” —Spurgeon.
C. God will PROTECT His people, v. 7; Psalms 37:28, “For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.”
Conclusion:
“Here we return to the fount of bitterness, which first made the psalmist run to the wells of salvation, namely, the prevalence of wickedness.” In our day as well “the wicked walk on every side when the vilest men are exalted. However, the Lord knows this and marks His time to return after His children.