The Bible — World English Bible
Psalm 12
In brief
Psalm 12 is a prayer of David when faithful people seem to be disappearing. All around him, people lie, flatter, speak with a double heart and think their words make them unbeatable. The psalmist asks God to act. God answers that he will rise up because of the oppressed and set in safety those who seek him. His words are pure, like silver refined seven times. The psalm ends with confidence that God keeps his own, even if evil is everywhere.
The chapter in 4 parts
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.
Key verses
Help, Yahweh; for the godly man ceases. For the faithful fail from among the children of men. Everyone lies to his neighbor. They speak with flattering lips, and with a double heart.
The psalmist does not ask for bread but for faithful people. He describes a world of falsehood, flattery and double hearts.
who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail. Our lips are our own. Who is lord over us?”
The liars claim that their tongue is their strength and that no master has authority over them. This verse shows the arrogance of words without truth.
“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.”
God answers directly: because of the oppressed who groan, he rises up. He cares about the poor and those who are being crushed.
Yahweh’s words are flawless words, as silver refined in a clay furnace, purified seven times.
Against deceptive words, the LORD's words are pure, like silver refined seven times. You can rely on his word without fear of being deceived.
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Frequently asked questions about Psalm 12
What does Psalm 12 mean?
Psalm 12 is a complaint about the lies and flattery that dominate society. David asks God to step in, and God answers that he rises up for the oppressed. The psalm contrasts people's deceptive words with the pure words of the LORD, which can be counted on even when evil seems everywhere.
How can I pray or meditate on Psalm 12?
When you are weary of lies, take this psalm as a prayer. Tell God what weighs on you, as in verses 1 to 4. Then read verse 6 slowly and choose a promise from the Bible to lean on. Finally, ask God to keep your own words true and free of flattery.
Who wrote Psalm 12 and what does the eight-stringed harp mean?
The title attributes it to David and addresses it to the choir director, on the eight-stringed harp. This expression, which also appears in Psalm 6, probably indicates a tune or an instrument to accompany it. The text does not name the specific event that inspired David.
Articles quoting Psalm 12
World English Bible translation — public domain.