Psalms 12:3-8

3 May the LORD cut off every flattering lip and every bragging tongue

4 that has said, "We will overcome with our tongues. With lips such as ours, who can be our master?"

5 "Because oppressed people are robbed and needy people groan, I will now arise," says the LORD. "I will provide safety for those who long for it."

6 The promises of the LORD are pure, like silver refined in a furnace and purified seven times.

7 O LORD, you will protect them. You will keep each one safe from those people forever.

8 Wicked people parade around when immorality increases among Adam's descendants.

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.