Jamieson, Fausset and Brown on Psalms 12

PSALM 12

Psa 12:1-8. On title, see Introduction and see on Psa 6:1. The Psalmist laments the decrease of good men. The pride and deceit of the wicked provokes God's wrath, whose promise to avenge the cause of pious sufferers will be verified even amidst prevailing iniquity.

1. the faithful--or literally, "faithfulness" (Psa 31:23).

2. The want of it is illustrated by the prevalence of deceit and instability.

3-4. Boasting (Da 7:25) is, like flattery, a species of lying.

lips, and ... tongue--for persons.

5. The writer intimates his confidence by depicting God's actions (compare Psa 9:19; 10:12) as coming to save the poor at whom the wicked sneer (Psa 10:5).

6. The words--literally, "saying of" (Psa 12:5).

seven times--thoroughly (Da 3:19).

7. them--(Margin.)

8. The wicked roam undisturbed doing evil, when vileness and vile men are exalted.