READ: Ps. 12:1–8: Help, LORD, for the godly man ceases! … With flattering lips and a double heart they speak. … ‘For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, Now I will arise,’ says the LORD; ‘I will set him in the safety for which he yearns.’ The words of the LORD are pure words, Like silver tried in a furnace of earth, Purified seven times. You shall keep them, O LORD, You shall preserve them from this generation forever.
The speech of the wicked stands in direct opposition to the words of the LORD. Falsehood, unfaithfulness, deceit, double-mindedness, and flattery characterize those who rise up against the LORD and His people (vv.2,3). By contrast, truth, faithfulness, honesty, and clarity characterize the LORD (v.7). Moreover, these deceivers and flatterers gain the upper hand because with their flattery they appeal to the sinful heart of man; therefore they are honoured by the majority (vv.2,5,8).
In the first part of the Psalm, David laments that there are so few who are truly sincere believers, while these are exposed to many who, with lies, deceit, and flattery, mislead and manipulate people. In response to this, he cries out to the LORD, who knows all hearts, that He may judge all deceit. Believers can be certain that nothing escapes the LORD, that He will hear their cry and preserve them.
This Psalm is not primarily about people who, as “blind heathen,” exchange the truth of God for the lie (Rom. 1:25). The liars and flatterers are members of God’s people, God’s church.
Also in the New Testament churches and throughout church history, lies, flattery, and deceit have proved devastating, so that the majority loves the lie rather than the truth (see 2 Cor. 11:3ff; Gal. 4:17ff; Eph. 5:6ff; 1 Tim. 4:1ff; 6:3ff; 2 Tim. 2:14ff; 3:1ff; Titus 1:10ff; 2 Pet. 2:1ff; 1 John 4:1ff; 2 John 7ff; Jude 8ff).
When experiencing lies and deceit, we too may expect our help from the LORD. We cannot boast in our own faithfulness and goodness. We too are sinners who can live only by grace. But at God’s infallible Word and on the basis of His sure promises, we may be assured of God’s nearness amid all attacks, extending into eternity (v.7).
What lies do you hear among “Christians”?
Singing: Ps. 12:1,4,5