Psalms 12-14

Thoughts

Psalm 12

To the choirmaster: according to The Sheminith. A Psalm of David.

Save, O LORD, for the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man.

• David feels alone- the faithful have disappeared. 

Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.
May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts.

• The problem is not just evil actions but evil words.
• “Double heart” one heart for God, one heart for man

Those who say, “With our tongue we will prevail; our lips are with us; who is master over us?”

• The wicked treat speech as a tool of power 
• They say no one is over them. 

“Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the LORD; “I will place him in the safety for which he longs.”

• God hears the groans of the oppressed long before anyone else
• God is their rescue

The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.

• In contrast to human lies, God’s words are flawless.
• “Seven times refined” = perfectly pure

You, O LORD, will keep them; You will guard us from this generation forever.

• God’s faithful words lead to a faithful promise 

On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the children of man.

• The wicked walk proudly because society celebrates what God condemns.

Psalm 13

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?
How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

• David repeats “How long?” four times 
• Sorrow grows heavier when God feels silent, especially when our enemies are lifted up

Consider and answer me, O LORD my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,
lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

• The prayer shifts from questions to petitions

But I have trusted in Your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
I will sing to the LORD, because He has dealt bountifully with me.

• David’s situation hasn’t changed  but his perspective has.
• “Steadfast love” (hesed) 
• David ends in praise based on God’s past goodness, not his present feelings.

Psalm 14

To the choirmaster. Of David.

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.

• “Fool” in Hebrew is נָבָל naval – not intellectual, but moral 

The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.
They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.

• God examines humanity – this section reminds me of Noah
• Paul quotes this section in Romans 3

Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread and do not call upon the LORD?

• Their evil is as easy to them as eating their meals. 

There they are in great terror, for God is with the generation of the righteous.
You would shame the plans of the poor, but the LORD is his refuge.

• The wicked should fear, not the righteous 

Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of His people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

• David ends with hope and restoration

Questions

ApplicationP

Psalm 12 shows us words are corrupt. Psalm 13 shows us hearts are weary. Psalm 14 shows us the world is broken. All speak one truth: God is faithful when people re not. His words are purse, His heart is strong, His plan is pure.