Psaume 12

1 Au maître-chantre. Psaume de David. Sur Shéminith.

2 Délivre-nous, ô Éternel! Car il n'y a plus d'hommes de bien; les fidèles ont disparu d'entre les fils des hommes.

3 Ils se parlent faussement l'un à l'autre; ils parlent avec des lèvres flatteuses, avec un cœur double.

4 L'Éternel veuille retrancher toutes les lèvres flatteuses, et la langue qui parle avec orgueil,

5 Ceux qui disent: Nous aurons le dessus par nos langues, nos lèvres sont à nous, qui sera notre maître?

6 A cause de l'oppression des misérables, à cause du gémissement des pauvres, maintenant, dit l'Éternel, je me lèverai; je mettrai en sûreté celui qu'on insulte.

7 Les paroles de l'Éternel sont des paroles pures; c'est un argent affiné au creuset, en terre, fondu sept fois.

8 Toi, ô Éternel, tu les garderas, tu nous préserveras de cette race à jamais!

9 Lorsque des gens abjects s'élèvent parmi les fils des hommes, les méchants se promènent de toutes parts.

Psaume 12 Commentary

Chapter 12

The psalmist begs help of God, because there were none among men whom he durst trust.

- This psalm furnishes good thoughts for bad times; a man may comfort himself with such meditations and prayers. Let us see what makes the times bad, and when they may be said to be so. Ask the children of this world, What makes the times bad? they will tell you, Scarcity of money, decay of trade, and the desolations of war, make the times bad: but the Scripture lays the badness of the times on causes of another nature, 2Ti. 3:1 , &c.: perilous times shall come, for sin shall abound; and of this David complains. When piety decays times really are bad. He who made man's mouth will call him to an account for his proud, profane, dissembling, or even useless words. When the poor and needy are oppressed, then the times are very bad. God himself takes notice of the oppression of the poor, and the sighing of the needy. When wickedness abounds, and is countenanced by those in authority, then the times are very bad. See with what good things we are here furnished for such bad times; and we cannot tell what times we may be reserved for. 1. We have a God to go to, from whom we may ask and expect the redress of all our grievances. 2. God will certainly punish and restrain false and proud men. 3. God will work deliverance for his oppressed people. His help is given in the fittest time. Though men are false, God is faithful; though they are not to be trusted, God is. The preciousness of God's word is compared to silver refined to the highest degree. How many proofs have been given of its power and truth! God will secure his chosen remnant, however bad the times are. As long as the world stands, there will be a generation of proud and wicked men. But all God's people are put into the hands of Christ our Saviour; there they are in safety, for none can pluck them thence; being built on Him, the Rock, they are safe, notwithstanding temptation or persecution come with ever so much force upon them.

Chapter Summary

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.