Psalm 12

This Psalm is concerned with the ability of the word of the Lord to preserve the faithful in the midst of a vile world.  God’s concern for the righteous is expressed in v1; the situation in which the righteous man finds himself is described in v8.

What does he mean that “vileness is exalted among the sons of men” (v8)?  He refers to the things they say (vs.2-4).  All around him David hears words that are vile.  It may be the idle words of a raunchy joke.  It may be the flattery of those who will tell a lie to get ahead in life.  Perhaps they are words from the double heart that claims good when evil is present.  Whatever he hears they are the words of proud people who think they can talk their way out of anything.  They are the words of those who are accountable only to themselves.

In this way “vileness is exalted”; and when that happens, “the wicked prowl on every side” (v8).  It seems that the godly ceases and the faithful disappear (v1).  The poor are oppressed and the needy sigh (v5).  

This is not an imaginary scene.  Listen to what is being said in our society.  More and more, words of pride, hatred, disrespect and evil are ever on the rise.  In the name of “freedom of speech” and “tolerance” people are allowed to say whatever they want.  Only those who speak the absolute truth of God are shouted down.  It is not a pretty picture and hope that it will change soon seems dim.

But consider the rest of the Psalm.  God promises to grant safety to the poor and needy in the midst of vileness (v5).   This keeping and preserving (v7) is bound up in God’s pure words.  As people hear and read and memorize and meditate on and obey God’s word they are kept by Him in the very generation or time in which they live, no matter how vile it is.

The reason this is true is because God’s word is true.  It is tried in earth’s furnace.  The words of the proud do not pass the test of experience.  The words of God never fail.  Never!  

What a blessed thought for ourselves, as well as our families.  We must eventually send our children out into a world where vileness is exalted.  We must not send them out without the word of God.  It is in their obedience to God’s unfailing word that they will be kept safe.  You can count on it!