Psalm 12

Theme

Man's Treachery and God's Constancy

Outline

1, The Vanishing Faithful 2-4, The Empty Words of the Wicked 5, Yahweh Promises to Vindicate the Poor and Needy 6-7, The Pure Words of the Lord 8, The Strutting Wicked

Key Verse

(12:6) The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. (12:1) Help, LORD, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men.

Notes

Psalm 12 contrasts the words of the wicked with those of Yahweh, structured chiastically. It begins and ends with the wicked prevailing, while the center emphasizes God's promise to vindicate the oppressed. The psalm highlights the emptiness of the wicked's words and the purity of God's words.

Keywords