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The Godly Are No More
Psalm 12 is a prayer for help when faithful people seem hard to find and dishonest speech is everywhere. The poem moves from human lies and proud words to Yahweh’s speech and confidence in his care.
Understanding the passage
Read these words in context
In this psalm, the speaker cries to Yahweh because godly and faithful people seem to be fading from among people. The trouble described centres on speech: lies, flattery, divided hearts and boasting words. In the middle of the psalm, Yahweh speaks about the oppressed and needy, and the poem contrasts human speech with Yahweh’s flawless words.
Psalms 12:1–8Main takeaway
Psalm 12 shows that when lies and proud speech spread, Yahweh hears the oppressed and his words are flawless.
Explore the poem and its images
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A cry for helpThe psalm begins with a direct plea: “Help, Yahweh”. The reason is that the “godly” and the “faithful” seem to be disappearing from among people.
Explanation
The psalm begins with a direct plea: “Help, Yahweh”. The reason is that the “godly” and the “faithful” seem to be disappearing from among people. The verse does not explain how this has happened, but it gives the strong feeling that faithfulness has become rare.
02False and proud speechThe next verses describe speech that damages community life. People lie to neighbours, use flattering lips and speak with a “double heart”, suggesting divided or deceptive intent.
Explanation
The next verses describe speech that damages community life. People lie to neighbours, use flattering lips and speak with a “double heart”, suggesting divided or deceptive intent. The prayer asks Yahweh to cut off such lips and boasting tongues, especially those claiming their speech makes them powerful and answerable to no lord.
03Yahweh answers the needyAt the centre of the psalm, Yahweh speaks. He says he will arise because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy.
Explanation
At the centre of the psalm, Yahweh speaks. He says he will arise because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy. He will set the harmed person in safety from those who malign him. The poem turns from arrogant human claims to Yahweh’s concern for vulnerable people.
04Flawless words and lasting confidenceYahweh’s words are called flawless, like silver refined in a clay furnace and purified seven times.
Explanation
Yahweh’s words are called flawless, like silver refined in a clay furnace and purified seven times. The next verse expresses confidence that Yahweh will keep and preserve. In this passage alone, the object of “them” is not spelled out clearly, but the psalm ends still recognising that wickedness remains widespread when vileness is exalted.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What kinds of speech are condemned in this psalm?
Look for the words used about human speech: lies, flattering lips, a double heart and boasting claims about the tongue and lips.
02Why does Yahweh say he will arise?
The answer is given in Yahweh’s own words and focuses on the weak and needy rather than the proud speakers.
03How does the psalm contrast human words with Yahweh’s words?
Compare the false and proud speech at the start with the description of Yahweh’s flawless words later, then notice the confidence expressed in the next verse without forcing a specific referent for “them”.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Psalms 12:1–8
1Help, Yahweh; for the godly man ceases. For the faithful fail from among the children of men.
2Everyone lies to his neighbor. They speak with flattering lips, and with a double heart.
3May Yahweh cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that boasts,
4who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail. Our lips are our own. Who is lord over us?”
5“Because of the oppression of the weak and because of the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,” says Yahweh; “I will set him in safety from those who malign him.”
6Yahweh’s words are flawless words, as silver refined in a clay furnace, purified seven times.
7You will keep them, Yahweh. You will preserve them from this generation forever.
8The wicked walk on every side, when what is vile is exalted among the sons of men.