Psalm 12 — God’s Word is Best

For the Chief Musician; set to the Sheminith. A Psalm of David.

1 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 lip, and with a double heart, do they speak.
3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips,
The tongue that speaketh great things:
4 Who have said, with our tongue will we prevail;
Our lips are our own: who is lord over us?
5 For the spoiling of the poor, for the sighing of the needy,
Now will I arise, saith the LORD;
I will set him in safety at whom they puff.
6 The words of the LORD are pure words;
As silver tried in a furnace on the earth,
Purified seven times.
7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD,
Thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
8 The wicked walk on every side,
When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.

In our confidence on a dependable father, we speak the words of this psalm. In the despair of the godly failing and ceasing before the wicked and the vain, we hope in the words of this psalm. Cultures and societies ebb and flow, but we have stability in a God whose words are tested and tried.

I've seen loved ones and friends fail before the lure of temptation and anxieties. It's a sad and lonely experience to see people cave beneath the pressures created by the ungodly. Their lies and flattery lure the faithful into doubts. Their insincerity, though sounding intellectual, often lead people into greater and greater emptiness.

I am glad that I've come to know God's words. It is the antidote to these lies. God himself is the destroyer of liars; he cuts the flattering lips. Those who believe they can live apart from God will soon discover he holds their deeds in hand and he is ready to judge.

Thank God for God's own word. Tested and tried like pure silver and gold, it is true and good. Take the time to read and consider God's word. Read the Bible - whole chapters and books - and see what you think. I know you will be impressed by God's goodness, mercy, faithfulness and grace.