This psalm is written by David and he complains about the vicious words of his adversaries, and in contrast, praises the pure and precious word of God.
Devotional Portion: Psalm 12:1-2
Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men. They speak idly everyone with his neighbor; With flattering lips and a double heart they speak.
“Help, Lord” this must be the shortest and a reasonable prayer one could ever have in the presence of the Lord. There is despair, pain and agony in this heartbroken prayer. “The Psalmist sees the extreme danger of his position, for a man had better be among lions than among liars.” (Treasury of David, Charles Spurgeon). This prayer converges to one point – the Lord. And the reason- “for the godly man ceases.” Elijah made a similar comment when he was escaping from Jezebel, 1 Kings 19:10, “I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.” And the reply of the Lord after He showed Himself to Elijah opened his eyes, “Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” It is obvious that we make conclusions when we are going through adversities, but make sure not to ignore the ways of the Lord in which He protects and keeps us safe.
They speak idly everyone with their neighbour; With flattering lips and a double heart they speak.
The wicked or the adversary speaks vain things-foolish, loose talks, false or even lying. The flattering lips are what the world wants to hear- puffing up others’ hearts with the things that they want to hear (this can now be seen in the churches in sermons too), and they have venom under their tongue to spit put when they feel like destroying others. A child of God must not have a flattering lip.
“‘They speak with a double heart.’ The original is, ‘A heart and a heart’: one for the church, another for the change; one for Sundays, another for working-days; one for the king, another for the pope. A man without a heart is a wonder, but a man with two hearts is a monster.” (Thomas Adams, cited in Spurgeon)
Reflection: Analyse whether we are having a double standard? Or are we worthy enough to call Him Abba Father.
