Single lesson
Psalm 12: The Godly Are No More
Psalms 12:1–8
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.
Before you teach
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.
Describe the central teaching of Psalm 12: The Godly Are No More, using two details from the reading. Psalm 12 shows that when lies and proud speech spread, Yahweh hears the oppressed and his words are flawless.
Welcome: Psalm 12: The Godly Are No More
4 minIntroduce “The Godly Are No More” and locate Psalms 12:1–8. Psalm 12 shows that when lies and proud speech spread, Yahweh hears the oppressed and his words are flawless. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
Psalms 12:1, Psalms 12:5, Psalms 12:8
Read and explain the passage
8 minThe 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.
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.
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.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “The Godly Are No More”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Psalms 12:1, Psalms 12:5, Psalms 12:6, Psalms 12:7, Psalms 12:8
Discuss the details and their meaning
6 minUse the three questions below. Begin with “What kinds of speech are condemned in this psalm?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. Psalm 12 shows that when lies and proud speech spread, Yahweh hears the oppressed and his words are flawless. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Psalms 12:2, Psalms 12:4, Psalms 12:5, Psalms 12:6, Psalms 12:7
Make and respond: Words and images response sheet
9 minWork on “Psalm 12: The Godly Are No More: Words and images response sheet”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “The Godly Are No More” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
Psalms 12:1, Psalms 12:5, Psalms 12:8
Closing: return to The Godly Are No More
3 minRevisit Psalms 12:1–8. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about The Godly Are No More and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
Psalms 12:1, Psalms 12:5, Psalms 12:8
Questions to explore
What 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.
Psalms 12:2, Psalms 12:4
Why 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.
Psalms 12:5
How 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”.
Psalms 12:2, Psalms 12:6, Psalms 12:7
Make, think or respond
Psalm 12: The Godly Are No More: Words and images response sheet
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- coloured pencils or crayons
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “A repeated word or image”, “Its verse reference”, “What it expresses”.
- Read Psalms 12:1–8. Use “The Godly Are No More” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Talk through your notes with an adult. Add a word, drawing or short quotation that helps you remember each part.
- Choose one image and add a short written response or a simple drawing. Explain how it connects with the passage.
The finished sheet keeps the details of Psalm 12: The Godly Are No More connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, read the selected verses aloud, prepare the three panels and let them respond with drawings or a few words. Use The Godly Are No More as the retelling prompt.
- For older children, add verse references to the response sheet and explain a connection between The Godly Are No More and the final part of the reading.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read Psalms 12:1–8. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Psalms 12
1 Help, Yahweh; for the godly man ceases. For the faithful fail from among the children of men.
2 Everyone lies to his neighbor. They speak with flattering lips, and with a double heart.
3 May Yahweh cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that boasts,
4 who 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.”
6 Yahweh’s words are flawless words, as silver refined in a clay furnace, purified seven times.
7 You will keep them, Yahweh. You will preserve them from this generation forever.
8 The wicked walk on every side, when what is vile is exalted among the sons of men.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.