Can we say that our words are flawless? Flawless not with respect to our grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, or even correct usage but about what is in our hearts. Our mouth speaks what we have in our heart, and that is why Bible says that for a fool, it is better not to open his mouth, else his foolishness will be revealed (Proverbs 24:7). The Psalmist brought out the skill of the wicked in hiding their evil motives stored in their hearts, with sugar quoted words. No matter how perfect their skills may be, God revealed their wickedness to David despite their outward kind words.

Deceptive Hearts

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.

Psalms 12:1-2

This Psalm recalls our associations with wicked people. People are so clever in deceiving one another that unless and until God helps us, we cannot identify their hidden motives, and we will fall victim to them. Fortunately, the author has acquainted himself with a loyal friend, God, and because of that, he is able to realize that no one else is reliable. It is an unfortunate situation for people who do not connect with God as for them, discerning the deceitful hearts of the wicked is impossible as they do not understand who is loyal. If we maintain a genuine relationship with God, He will reveal the present state of our hearts to us (Isaiah 6:5).

Who is Lord Over Us?

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?”

Psalms 12:3-4

We prefer to do self-supported business because we do not like anyone to boss over us. No one is ready to be held responsible for their actions and thus choose to roam around freely. Many lend honorary service to avoid follow-up and corrections by authorities, and they think only the paid civil servants are answerable to the Government. Do we ever realize that we are accountable for our deeds till the end of our journey in this world (Romans 14:12)? Let us not deceive ourselves by providing false justifications for our words and deeds.

Protection from the Wicked

“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.”

Psalms 12:5

When we look at the sufferings of the poor because of the actions of the wicked, we lose heart but do nothing. Perhaps, we try to establish reasons for their helpless state and justify why we are not helping them while the poor and the needy await desperately for a reprieve. God knows the needs of the poor as well as the hardened hearts of the wicked. Jesus reveals the wickedness of people, who are accountable for safeguarding the poor and the needy, and calls them vipers. God, who examines the hearts, says to them that they have stored evil in their hearts, they speak only empty words, and they will give account for their words not followed by their deeds (Matthew 12:34–37). Despite the suppression by the wicked, God reaches out to the poor and the needy to help them.

Flawless Word

And the words of the LORD are flawless,

like silver purified in a crucible,

like gold refined seven times.

Psalms 12:6

In the pursuit of finding a few genuine people, David could not find people whose words were synchronised with their hearts. Finally, David found that synchronization in God and realized the genuineness of the Word of God, and compared the Word of God with that of purified silver and refined gold. In this earthly life, we value silver and gold so high, that we have nothing more plausible than silver and gold to compare the Word of God with. Even so, comparing the Word of God to the things of this world is wrong because this world will not last but the Word of God will remain forever.

The Vile are Honoured

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.

Psalms 12:7-8

Not during the time of David, even today the wicked people are honoured by us, despite us knowing their unjust deeds. When we face them, the devil reminds us of their influence on our lives and we hesitate to stand up to them and end up respecting them even more in spite of their unjust actions. The author understood that our fake behaviour is one of the causes for the survival of the wicked. Ultimately, we are the corrupt people who honour the unjust as it suits our cause but remember that indirectly it is on how they treat the innocent and righteous. When we fail to care for the poor, our righteous God keeps the needy and the poor safe and protects them from the wicked forever.

God, give us strength and wisdom to cling unto you when wicked lure us with their authority and power.