Studies in the Psalms - Psalm 12

Where To Find Truth

The Bible is an amazing book for many reasons. One of the things about it that is so incredible, is how, though written in a context of a culture and society of so long ago, it remains relative to us today. Psalm 12 is a psalm that sounds just like it was written yesterday.

Psalm 12:1

Save, O LORD, for the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man.

Even in the church it is hard to find Christians committed to a complete life of holiness. The Gospel has been diluted and preaching specifically against sin is rarely seen. In place of solid Biblical preaching, is often a selling of a better life. Though clearly the scriptures tell us the Gospel is offensive and the cross a stumbling block, instead the goal of most churches is to grow and the methods used are far too often taken from books written by men on how to grow the church. The answer to how to grow the church is clearly in the Bible. Preach Christ crucified is what Paul did.

Verse two is even more clearly observed in our world today.

Psalm 12:2
Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.

It started with TV in the fifties and the ability to spread lies about God and preach bad theology hit the airwaves, but now in the age of the internet and social media, the wealth of lies and deceptions are spread across the land in a far greater way. This does not surprise God. The primary enemy of the Christian is the devil and the Devil is quite simply the father of all lies.

John 8:44
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

God hates liars.

Proverbs 12:22
Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight.

Proverbs 6:16-19
There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him:
haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil,  a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

David cries out to God against those who lie against him.

Psalm 12:3-4
May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts, those who say, “With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are with us; who is master over us?”

And God hears and responds.

Psalm 12:5
“Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the LORD; “I will place him in the safety for which he longs.”

Where does God place those who humble themselves and cry out to Him in need?

In the arms of Jesus. For Jesus is the truth. He is the way. He is the life.

Thomas asked Jesus how to know the way to go. Jesus’ answer is our answer as well.

John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

The Word of God is true. Jesus is the Word.

The answer to living in this world of duplicity and lies is to turn to Jesus.

Psalm 12:6-8
The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times. You, O LORD, will keep them; you will guard us from this generation forever. On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the children of man.

God keeps His Word. He is the refuge we must flee to today. He will protect His children and He will judge those who choose to live in the lies of the devil.

Today the wicked prowl on every side. Vileness is exalted among the children of man. But Jesus will guard us from this generation forever. He is coming back. Until then stand on the Word of God. Stand on truth. Stand on the rock, the rock who is Jesus.