Psalm 12
Psalm 12 is the 12th psalm from the Book of Psalms. It is a Psalm of lament, internally cited as being a psalm of David.
Text
From the King James Version.
For the director of music. According to sheminith. A psalm of David.
Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore; those who are loyal have vanished from the human race.
Everyone lies to their neighbor; they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts.
May the Lord silence all flattering lips and every boastful tongue—
those who say,“By our tongues we will prevail; our own lips will defend us—who is lord over us?”
“Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan,I will now arise,” says the Lord.“I will protect them from those who malign them.”
And the words of the Lord are flawless,like silver purified in a crucible,like gold refined seven times.
You, Lord, will keep the needy safe and will protect us forever from the wicked,
who freely strut about when what is vile is honored by the human race.
Interpretation
Christianity
The reformation theologian John Calvin in his commentary of the psalm interprets the passage as referring to the truthfulness of God in contrast to humanity, saying that the elaboration of God's actions in the psalm reflect promises God had made with the Israelites. [1]
Uses
Judaism
- Is recited on Shmini Atzeret.[2]
- Is recited at a brit milah.[3]
