Thursday 09/15/05 - Psalm 12

This psalm, like so many of the Psalms, contains pleas for the vindication of the righteous and curses for the unrighteous. And the theme of this psalm is verbal communication.

There is a stark contrast painted here by the psalmist between the words of his enemies and the words of the Lord. Notice what the enemies’ words are like: they lie even to their neighbor, aiming to flatter and deceive (v. 2). They not only falsely inflate other people’s egos (for their own gain), but they boast of themselves (v. 3).

Let me ask you: Do you use your tongue in this way? Do you speak the truth in love to your neighbor, or do you falsely flatter? Do you deceive? Do you boast? If you’re honest, you’ll admit that your words are sometimes deceitful. They display the attitude that only you are the master of your own tongue, and that it actively rebels against the authority of the living God (v. 4).

As much as you may have been guilty of committing such sins, you have most likely been the victim of such sins as well. Others have spoken falsely to and about you. You have been slandered and deceived. You, along with the psalmist, beg for God’s justice to be brought on your enemies.

On the other hand, the words of the Lord are “flawless” (v. 6a). They are compared to silver that has been purified seven times, meaning that they are completely and utterly refined (v. 6b). They are perfect. God’s self-revelation is perfect.

And his self-revelation comes to its climax in Jesus Christ, who has delivered you from the misery of sin, both of your enemies and your own self. In Jesus Christ, God has arisen and come to protect his people (v. 5). As one who has been found in Jesus Christ, you are ultimately kept safe, even when verbally attacked by your enemies. Why? Because Jesus was attacked for your sake. Because he was made weak, because he was oppressed, because he was maligned (v. 5). And he endured all this for you.

And just as Jesus was vindicated by God after he was verbally and physically attacked in the most cruel way, so you too have been vindicated in Him despite any attack that might be brought against you. Thank and praise Jesus for His deliverance from sin, and ask Him for His Spirit to help you speak words that are flawless.

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