Daily Devotions
Psalms
"Help, LORD, the godly man ceases!"
Day 88 – Psalm 12
“Help, LORD, the godly man ceases!” Psalm 12:1a
A PLAINTIVE CRY FOR HELP
David, the author of Psalm 12, king of Israel, was unashamed to send forth a plaintive cry for Divine help!
“Help, LORD, for the godly man ceases!
For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men.
They speak idly everyone with his neighbour;
With flattering lips and a double heart they speak.”
Psalm 12:1-2
1. Expressing a grave concern that the number of godly people was diminishing
a) The cessation of godly people.
b) The disappearance of “the faithful” .
c) The context could well be:-
i) In the royal court of David.
ii) A general reference to the situation in ancient Israel.
2. Expressing a grave concern that the number of the wicked was increasing
a) The growing number of people speaking idly:-
i) Thus could well happen in the royal court of David.
ii) The courtiers could well be gossiping among themselves.
iii) They could be caught up with idle gossip rather than be concerned about the welfare of the general populace.
b) With flattering lips:-
i) People who attend court would have learned how to speak “with flattering lips”.
ii) They imagine that if they were to flatter those who are in high position they would get the help they desire.
c) A double heart
i) The problem with flattery is that it is often not sincere.
ii) Speaking with a double heart is nothing short of hypocrisy.
If this condition was true in court and in the country, then Divine help was needed!