Friday, March 19, 2010

PSALM 12 - Mike T.

Psa 12:1-8 ESV

I. THE WORDS OF THE WICKED
(1) To the choirmaster: according to The Sheminith. A Psalm of David. Save, O LORD, for the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man. There are times when those who love God and want to be faithful to him really do feel alone.
(2) Everyone utters lies (empty words/ insincere words/ irresponsibile words )to his neighbor; The times are so bad that everyone’s words can no longer be trusted. There is no integrity with flattering lips They flatter/words with false motives and pretenses and a double heart they speak. Literally ‘they speak with a heart and a heart’ a Hebrew way of saying they talk out of both sides of their mouth.
(3) May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts, They boast.
(4) those who say, "With our tongue we will prevail, the philosophy that winning justifies deceit our lips are with us; the idea that they have the right to say anything they please who is master over us?" A denial of any higher standard or accountability

II. THE WORDS OF THE LORD
(5) "Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise," says the LORD; "I will place him in the safety for which he longs." The Lord will not allow justice to be perverted forever. In spite of the boasts of the wicked there is a higher standard and accountability
(6) The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times. "The Bible has passed through the furnace of persecution, literary criticism, philosophic doubt, and scientific discovery, and has lost nothing but those human interpretations which clung to it as alloy to precious ore. The experience of saints has tried it in every conceivable manner, but not a single doctrine or promise has been consumed in the most excessive heat." – Charles Spurgeon The Biblical standards reflect the words of God, not man and are proven to be trustworthy.

THE RESPONSE OF THE PSALMIST
(7) You, O LORD, will keep them; you will guard us from this generation forever. God’s Word ensures that He will keep his own.
(8) On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the children of man. The wicked are still freely strutting about. Lying, flattery, deceit and boasting have not ceased. 'vileness is exalted' see Rom 1:21-31. What has changed is the Psalmist. He has heard God’s answer that regardless of what others do, he can rely on the word of the reliable God.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I continue to read James Boice's commentary on Psalms. Tonight I looked at Psalm 12. Above are my notes based upon Boice's exposition. This Psalm is how one might pray when reading through Romans chapter 1. Lord help us to trust your unfailing, pure, reliable and Holy Word. When those around us deny that they are accountable to you remind us that your Word speaks for you and all people whether they acknowledge you in their speech or their actions will one day be held to your righteous standards. Help us to turn to Christ our saviour who on account of His perfect obedience has made us righteous in your sight. Praise God the defender of the needy and the oppressed, who guard generations forever. Help us to glorify you in our own words and deeds. Wash us clean from the filth that pollutes our lives and make us Holy to serve and honor you in this fallen and depraved world. Thank you for your grace. AMEN.



No comments:

Post a Comment

Thank you for your comment.