Devotional Portion: Psalm 12:3-5
May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, And the tongue that speaks proud things, Who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail; Our lips are our own; Who is Lord over us?” “For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, Now I will arise,” says the Lord; “I will set him in the safety for which he yearns.”
The Psalmist understood the fact that he can’t make the adversaries shut their mouths, and he is in agony due to these destructive words. He is finding refuge in the LORD and pleading with the Lord to avenge his adversaries. “May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, And the tongue that speaks proud things,” The proud denies God and they will speak badly of the people who are made in the image and likeness of God.
“Strange is it that the easy yoke of the Lord should so gall the shoulders of the proud, while the iron bands of Satan they bind about themselves as chains of honour: they boastfully cry unto God, “Who is lord over us?” and hear not the hollow voice of the evil one, who cries from the infernal lake, “I am your lord, and right faithfully do ye serve me.” (Treasury of David, Charles Spurgeon).
The flattering lips and the tongue that speaks proud things are classed together in this verse. The former flatters others and the latter flatters themselves. They both are guilty in the eyes of the Lord, and the judgement of God will come upon them.
Verse 6 shows a contrast between the vain works of the proud and the pure and judgemental words of the Lord. “Think of God arising in his might. When he ariseth, he shakes terribly the earth; nothing stands before him when he once arises. Poor, sick, needy, sorrowing, sighing child of God, it is you who can bring him into this marvellous state of activity.” (Spurgeon) David believed that if God is by His side, he will be victorious and can face the days ahead with confidence.
Reflection: Walk with the LORD, He will rise up for us.
