Psalms 12:4-6

4 those who say, “By our tongues we will prevail; our own lips will defend us—who is lord over us?”

5 “Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the LORD. “I will protect them from those who malign them.”

6 And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold^[a] refined seven times.

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Psalms 12:4-6 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.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Cross References 8

1. Proverbs 18:21; James 3:6
2. Psalms 44:24; Psalms 62:10; Psalms 72:14; Psalms 73:8; Ecclesiastes 4:1; Ecclesiastes 5:8; Isaiah 3:15; Isaiah 5:7; Isaiah 30:12; Isaiah 59:13; Acts 7:34
3. S Psalms 6:6
4. Psalms 3:7
5. Psalms 10:18; Psalms 34:6; Psalms 35:10
6. S 2 Samuel 22:31; Psalms 18:30; Proverbs 30:5
7. S Job 23:10; S Job 28:1; Isaiah 48:10; Zechariah 13:9
8. Psalms 119:140

Footnotes 1

[a]. Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; Masoretic Text "earth"

Psalms 12:4-6

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Psalms 12:4-6 Meaning and Commentary

Cross References 8

Footnotes 1