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Psalm, chapter twelve For the director of music. According to sheminith. A psalm of David. Theme: The proud and lying words of people
versus the true and pure words of God. A call for protection against those who
try to manipulate us. 1. Why did David ask the LORD for help?
____________________________________________________________________________ Living for God in a deceitful world can be a difficult and lonely battle. At one time the great prophet Elijah felt so lonely he wanted to die. But God told him that there were 7,000 other faithful servants (1st Kings 19:4, 14, 18). We are never alone in our battle against evil. When you feel alone, seek out other believers for strength and support. 2. What did David say everyone does to his neighbor, what did he say their flattering lips speak, what did he say the LORD cuts off that says what?
____________________________________________________________________________ We may be tempted to believe that lies are relatively harmless, even useful at times. But God does not overlook lies, flattery, deception, or boasting. Each of these sins originates from a bad attitude that is eventually expressed in our speech. The tongue can be our greatest enemy because, though small, it can do great damage (James 3:5). Be careful how you use yours. 3. What did David say the LORD said?
____________________________________________________________________________ God cares for the weak and the needy. Here he promises to protect the downtrodden and confront their oppressors. We should identify with God's attitude. His work is not done until we care for the needs of the poor. 4. What did David say the words of the LORD are, what are they like, and how may times are they purified?
____________________________________________________________________________ Sincerity and truth are extremely valuable because they are so rare. Many people are deceivers, liars, flatterers; they think they will get what they want by deception. As a king, David certainly faced his share of such people, who hoped to win his favor and gain advancement through flattery. When we feel as though sincerity and truth have nearly gone out of existence, we have one hope - the word of God. God's words are as flawless as refined silver. So listen carefully when he speaks. 5. What did David say the LORD will do, and what will he protect us from?
____________________________________________________________________________ In response to the assurance of God's word, the psalmist brings his lament to a peaceful conclusion. Regardless of the circumstances of life, God's children are assured of the special protection of their heavenly Father. The wicked may turn the world upside down, but God will guard his own. As he has promised (Numbers 6:24-26), he keeps them "safe" from the wicked, "from such people" (lit. "from this generation"). The word "generation" signifies here a group of people who live at the same time; i.e., contemporaries. 6. What did David say the wicked did?
____________________________________________________________________________ God's guarding his people is a reality even when the wicked walk around as kings. When verses 1, 7-8 are read together as an inclusion, the comfort lies in God's protection from an evil generation that is, after all, characterized by human frailty. Therefore the hope of the psalmist lies in the Lord, his covenant God. The psalm contains no resolution to the problem of evil, but it recognizes that evil is under the full sovereignty of the Lord.
===================================================================== 1. For the godly are no more, the faithful have
vanished from among men Taken from The Life Application Study Bible and the NIV Commentary Zondervan |