Psalm 12

It seems that there are no more godly people
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Text
Explanation
A typical psalm of David
 1 ¶ <<To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David.>> Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. 
 2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.
  Help, Lord Or "Save Yahweh."
  Godly man ceaseth ... faithful fail "...  for the faithful have vanished from among the sons of men." (RSV). David feels like Elijah who thought he was the only faithful one left 1ki1910, mi0702, jn1016 although he remembers them as the oppressed and pure ones in verses 5 and 7.
  Vanity Rather "lies."
.3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: 
 4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?
  Tongue Words may bless or hurt. Something for us to keep in mind.
  Who is lord over us Feeling not responsible mt1237.
.5 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.  5 "Because the poor are despoiled, because the needy groan, I will now arise," says the LORD; "I will place him in the safety for which he longs." (RSV)
  Arise God acts at the right time ex0224, ps00919, ps01012.
 6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
.7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
  Pure words In contrast false, flattering, and proud ones.
  Silver ... seven times The number indicates perfection or completion. pr1020, pr2511.
  Keep them The needy ones of v5.
  Preserve them Literally "preserve us."
  For ever Apparently "permanently." See ex2106.
 8 The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.   Corrupt leaders cause corruption at lower levels.
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