Psalm 12 Our Tongue

Psalm 12:1 ...Help, LORD, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men.

The Psalmist cries out in loneliness, feeling isolated away from all God's people. The godly are no more and the faithful have vanished. Who are the ungodly and faithless which remain?

:2 Everyone lies to his neighbor; their flattering lips speak with deception. Those remaining lie, deceive and flatter. Sins of the tongue, of speech, of language. Murder is not mentioned here, nor thievery, nor adultery, nor even idolatry, but sins involving the use of speech.

God created mankind in His image. He spoke us into existence. He gave us mouths, words, language, and a creative ability that mirrors His own. God is truth, and He hates liars. Satan is the father of lies.

:3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue 4 that says, "We will triumph with our tongues; we own our lips {4 Or our lips are our plowshares} --who is our master?"

Verses three and four display a spirit of prideful independence at the heart of the sinful tongue. This is "freedom of speech" at its worst, a non-submissiveness that knows neither courtesy nor compassion. The owner of these lips uses words like a sword or a club, swinging madly and furiously, not caring who is destroyed.

:5 "Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise," says the LORD. "I will protect them from those who malign them."

Those who use words powerfully and wrongfully (perhaps those in government office or legislative bodies, judges, media reporters, hostile neighbors, social classes or groups?) oppress the weak and needy with their evil words. But the Lord has heard and rises up to protect them.

:6 And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.

And God's words cannot be compared with the words of the wicked, He is so far above them. His words are true, perfect, without a single weak point, pure, strong, enduring, rich, and beautiful. And because God is God, He has the last word.

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Dearest Father, I am just beginning to begin to perceive the seriousness of judgment which will fall upon us all because of each idle word we speak; the words that malign others; the words that flatter on the surface but hide a heart of malice. Father, I confess that I am guilty. My heart is so far from being pure; likewise my thoughts and my words. Forgive me, Lord, and help me to learn to control my tongue, to purify my heart, and to think and speak good for others at all times. It is our speech that sets us apart from all else in Your worldly creation. May I use my tongue to glorify You at all times. In Jesus' name, Amen.