John Trapp on Psalms 12:8

Verſ. 8. The wicked walk on every ſide] In circuitu, ſaith the Vulgar; the circular Motion is moſt ſubtle, the Devil walketh the round to do miſchief; but better render it circumqua que on every ſide, to ſhew their numbers and their inſolencies; all places are full of them, ſuch duſt-heaps are found in every corner; when as the godly are as the ſalt of the earth, ſprinkled here and there (as Salt uſeth to be) to keep the reſt from putrifying.

When the vileſt men are exalted] Heb. Vilities, the abſtract for the concrete, quiſquiliae, [non-Latin text not transcribed]. Oft, empty Veſſels ſwim aloft, rotten Poſts are gilt with adulterate Gold, the worſt weeds ſpring up braveſt. Chaff will get to the top of the Fan; when good Corn, as it lieth at the bottom of the heap, ſo it falls low at the feet of the Fanner. The reaſon why wicked men walk on every ſide, are ſo brisk, ſo buſie, and who but they? is given in to be this, becauſe Loſels and Rioters were exalted. See Prov. 28.12.18. & 29.2. As Rhewms and Catarrhes fall from the Head to the Lungs, and cauſe a Conſumption of the whole body; ſo it is in the Body Politick. As a Fiſh putrifies firſt in the head, and then in all the parts: So here. Some render the Text thus, When they (that is the wicked) are exalted, it is a ſhame for the Sons of men, that other men, who better deſerve preferment, are not only ſlighted, but vilely handled by ſuch worthleſs Ambitioniſts; who yet the higher they climbe, as Apes, the more they diſcover their deformities.