This psalm purports to be “A Psalm of David,” and there is no
reason to doubt that it was composed by him. On what occasion it was
composed is now unknown, and there is nothing in the psalm itself to
enable us to decide. Some have supposed that it was written in view of
the persecution of David by S... [ Continue Reading ]
HELP, LORD - Hebrew, “Save, Yahweh.” The idea is that there was no
human help, and, therefore, the divine help is implored. The psalmist
saw that those on whom reliance was usually placed for the promotion
of the cause of truth and virtue now failed, and hence, he invites the
divine interposition.
F... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY SPEAK VANITY - This is a statement of the “manner” in which
the “godly” and the “faithful” fail, as stated in Psalms 12:1.
One of the ways was that there was a disregard of truth; that no
confidence could be placed on the statements of those who professed to
be pious; that they dealt falsely wi... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD SHALL CUT OFF - This might be rendered, “May the Lord cut
off,” implying a wish on the part of the psalmist that it might
occur. But probably the common rendering is the correct one. It is the
statement of a solemn truth, designed for warning, that all such
persons would be punished.
ALL FL... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO HAVE SAID - Who habitually say. This does not mean that they had
formally and openly said this - for none would be likely to do so -
but that they had practically and really said this by their conduct.
They acted as if it were the real principle on which they framed their
lives, that they might... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE OPPRESSION OF THE POOR - That is, on account of the wrong done
to the poor in the manner specified above - by the abuse of the power
of speech. On account of the slanders uttered against them, or the
frauds perpetrated on them by the abuse of this power. The reference
is to the wrongs done w... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WORDS OF THE LORD - In contrast with the words of the persons
referred to in Psalms 12:2. Their words were vanity, flattery, and
falsehood; and no reliance could be placed on them. In contrast with
these words, the words of the Lord were pure. They were to be relied
on. All his sayings were true... [ Continue Reading ]
“Thou shalt keep them That is, the persons referred to in Psalms
12:5 - the poor and the needy who were suffering from the wrongs
inflicted on them. The idea is, that God would guard and defend them.
They were safe in his hands. Compare Psalms 37:3.
FROM THIS GENERATION - This generation, or this r... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WICKED WALK ON EVERY SIDE - Everywhere. They have full license, or
seem to be wholly unrestrained.
WHEN THE VILEST MEN ARE EXALTED - Margin, “The vilest of the sons of
men are exalted.” This expression has been very variously
translated. Dr. Horsley renders it, “When the scorn of the sons of
men... [ Continue Reading ]