Psalms 12

David prayeth for his and the Churches preservation from and among the common malice, unfaithfulness, falshood, beguiling, insolence and tyranny, practised by the Rulers and governors: and prophesieth, that God would surely judge them and save the godly according to the faithful promises of his word.

1. A Psalm of David for the chief song-master [See Psa.4.on v.1.] upon the Scheminith. [See Psa.6.on v.1.]

2. Preserve O God [Or save namely Us, in this lad and miserable condition] for the kind [or kind-hearted good-hearted, of the Hebrew word. See Psa.4.on v.4.] is wanting [i.e. (as we use to say) there is no love nor faith more left] for the faithful [the Hebrew word signifieth true, or faithful, believing, 2 Sam.20.19. Psa.31.24. and also troths, faithfulnesses, i.e. all manner of faith and troth and trustiness, or faithfulness; as Prov.14.5. and 20.6. Isaiah 26:2. either is applicable to this place] are lessened among the children of men [or Adams children.]

3. They speak falshood [Or vanity, naughtiness or unprofitableness] every one mwith his neighbour. [Heb.the man with his neighbour, or companion] (with) flattering lips: [Heb. A lip of soothings, or smoothness, i.e. that knoweth well, or is well practised to flatter, and so in the next verse] they speak with a double heart [Heb.heart and heart, i.e. their heart meaneth otherwise then their mouth speaketh. Compare Deut.25.on v.13. 14.]

4. Let the LORD cut off [Or, the LORD will cut off] all flattering lips, the great (or big) speaking tongue:

5. That say, [We shall have the upper hand with our tongue: our lips are ours [Heb. By, or with us, i.e. in our own power, to speak as and what we lift.] who is LORD over us?

6. Because of the Desolation of the afflicted, because of the groaning of the needy, will I arise now, saith the LORD: I will set in safety him whom he puffeth at. [i.e. Whom the wicked thinketh to scatter and undo without any pains-taking, with the least puff, as it were of his breadth (the godly namely) whom I, never the less maugre the wicked, will set in safety and security. See Psalm 10.on verse 5. Oth. Whom he (the wicked) layeth snares for.]

7. The sayings of the LORD, [As all in general, so especially his gracious promises which the Prophet insisteth on in the next verse.] are pure sayings [i.e. without any fault or blemish, without any deceit or falshood: like refined silver without dross: Compare Psalms 19:10.] silver, [i.e. like unto silver, that is refined, &c.] refined in an earthen melting cruse: [i.e. tried and purified in an earthen melting-cruse, or melting oven, furnace, on the ground, or in the earth, as some conceive. Compare Psalms 18:31. and 119.140. Prov.30.5.] purified [properly, molten, and so purified, cleansed and cleared from all dross and impurity] seven times. [i.e. many times over, compleatly and perfectly. See Genesis 4.on v.15. and 1 Sam.2.5. Prov.24.16. and 26.25.]

8. Thou, LORD, shalt keep them; [understand the godly and innocent, against the practises of the wicked, which haunt them like roaring and raging Lions.] thou shalt safe-guard them [Heb. Him, i.e. every one of them] from this generation [i.e. from these evil men, that live together now in this age, as Deut.1.35. Compare Matth.11.16. with Luke 7:13. and Matth.12.42. with Luke 11:31. The Hebrew word Dorhath the signification of lasting, or enduring; to dwell or abide a long and lasting time (see Psalms 84:11.) and is taken further for a mans life-time here on earth, Eccl.1.4. and likewise for a multitude of men, living together, or in one and the same age; whether bad, as here and elsewhere, or good as below, Psalms 14:5. and 73.15, &c.] for ever.

9. The wicked pace (or trot) round about, when (or, because) the vilest [Heb. The vileness, and naughtiness, unworthiness, i.e. the vilest, most abject the very scum of men, such as are the luxurious and riotous prodigals Deut.21.20. Prov.23.21. to whom are opposed the dear, or precious, Jer.15.19. See further Job.35.on v.13.] of the children of man are exalted [or, set on high, the Prophet, will say: When it cometh to pass, that the wicked ones (who are indeed the vilest of men) are advanced to state and offices, and get up into places of government and authority; then the wicked do multiply and stir on all hands, doing all the spight, violence and mischief to the godly they are able to compass, with out ceasing; Compare Proverbs 28:12,28. And 20.26.]