Psalms 12:1-2

‘Help, YHWH, for the godly man ceases,

For the faithful have disappeared from among the children of men.

They speak falsehood every one with his neighbour.

With flattering lip, and with a double heart, do they speak.'

It is a sad day for good men when it appears as though all godly men have disappeared (compare Hosea 4:1; Micah 7:2; Isaiah 57:1; Isaiah 59:12; Jeremiah 5:1; Jeremiah 7:28; Jeremiah 9:2). It often seems to be the case, but it is never truly so. This godly man who writes the psalm is evidence of that, and he was not alone, even if he perhaps thought he was. He was like Elijah who thought only he was left (1 Kings 19:10; 1 Kings 19:14), only to learn that God had reserved for Himself seven thousand men who had not bowed the knee to Baal (1 Kings 19:18).

But the situation was certainly bad. Deceit and falsehood were prevalent. No one could be trusted. Honesty between men seemed to have vanished. They lied, they flattered falsely, they spoke with double tongues, saying one thing and thinking and meaning another. The world seemed totally corrupt. They were bad times. So the psalmist cries out to YHWH for help, for deliverance. Surely He cannot allow things to continue as they are?