Psalm 12 – Help!

 February 19, 2024

Sometimes one word says it all, as in the first word of Psalm 12 – help. Why is the writer asking for help?

Psalm 12

Psalm 12 – help, begins with a cry to God. The writer is asking for help because no one is faithful anymore.

“Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore;
those who are loyal have vanished from the human race.” (1)

Then he explains the situation further. The problem is that everyone lies. You can’t trust what they say.

“Everyone lies to their neighbor;
they flatter with their lips
but harbor deception in their hearts.” (2)

This is a common problem, relevant throughout the centuries and into today. Back in the Old Testament times, there was not all of the means that we have to record what people said. The written word was reserved to certain scribes. Therefore a person’s word, truly was their bond. If a person were to lie, what could you believe? There was no record in a courthouse with a seal confirming an agreement.

In response to this, the writer asks the Lord for help:

“May the Lord silence all flattering lips
and every boastful tongue—
those who say,
“By our tongues we will prevail;
our own lips will defend us—who is lord over us?” (3-4)

God responds to his plea:

“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.” (5)

Where humans lie, God’s word remains true.  

“And the words of the Lord are flawless,
like silver purified in a crucible,
like gold refined seven times.” (6)

Help

People of my generation are most likely familiar with the Beatles song, “Help!” The lyrics talk about how when he was younger, he didn’t need anyone’s help. Now he’s older he recognizes his need for help. Blessed are those who recognize their need for help. It’s one of the gifts of aging.

When we are young, we may feel we know it all, when of course we don’t. “I can do it,” the youngster asserts, then gets it wrong. Sometimes this is just part of developing mastery over their self and their world. We have to let them do it by themselves without our assistance. Other times it’s childish arrogance, insisting that they don’t need help. It takes some maturity to realize that we all need help at times.

We need help with our day-to-day challenges. We need help to know who we can trust and who is lying. Even with the many written records of what people say, it is still challenging, knowing the truth. People lie. Who are we to trust?

Psalm 12 – Help

The author ends with words of confident trust in our God:

“You, Lord, will keep the needy safe
and will protect us forever from the wicked,
who freely strut about
when what is vile is honored by the human race.” (7-8)

When all else fails, when no one can be trusted, our God can be trusted. We can turn to him and ask for the help we need. Whether surrounded by lies, being attacked by people or circumstances that appear to be against , or simply dealing with the many problems of everyday life, our God can help.

What do you need help with? Is something keeping you from reaching out to God?

(For another take on Psalm 12 – Psalm 12: Flattering Lips and a Double Heart – Can the Tongue be Tamed? – Patricia M Robertson)

This post is part of a series of blog posts on the Psalms. Sign up to follow this blog and receive a free copy of Still Dancing, book two of the Dancing Through Life Series.

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