Psalms 12:3-8

3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, The tongue that 1speaks great things;
4 Who 2have said, "With our tongue we will prevail; Our lips are our own; who is lord over us?"
5 "Because of the 3devastation of the afflicted, because of the groaning of the needy, Now 4I will arise," says the LORD; "I will 5set him in the safety for which he longs."
6 The 6words of the LORD are pure words; As silver 7tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times.
7 You, O LORD, will keep them; You will 8preserve him from this generation forever.
8 The 9wicked strut about on every side When 10vileness is exalted among the sons of men.

Psalms 12:3-8 Meaning and Commentary

To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, a Psalm of David. The word "sheminith" is used in the title of Psalm 6:1, and signifies "eighth"; and intends either the eighth note, to which the psalm was sung, or rather the harp of eight chords, to which it was set, as the Targum and Jarchi interpret it. Some Jewish writers {y} understand it of the times of the Messiah; and the Syriac version entitles the psalm, "an accusation of the wicked, and a prophecy concerning the coming of the Messiah:" and the Arabic version says, it is concerning the end of the world, which shall be in the eighth day; and concerning the coming of the Messiah: but Arnobius interprets it of the Lord's day.

{y} Sepher Lekach Shechachah apud Caphtor, fol. 64. 1. & Ceseph Misnah in Maimon. Hilch. Teshuvah, c. 9.

Cross References 10

  • 1. Daniel 7:8; Revelation 13:5
  • 2. Psalms 73:8, 9
  • 3. Psalms 9:9; Psalms 10:18
  • 4. Isaiah 33:10
  • 5. Psalms 34:6; Psalms 35:10
  • 6. 2 Samuel 22:31; Psalms 18:30; Psalms 19:8, 10; Psalms 119:140
  • 7. Proverbs 30:5
  • 8. Psalms 37:28; Psalms 97:10
  • 9. Psalms 55:10, 11
  • 10. Isaiah 32:5

Footnotes 2

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