Psalm 12 Continued…
Psalms 12:5-6 says, “’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.’ And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.”
This verse is the answer of God; “says the Lord.” It is a communication from the Lord answering the sincere prayer of the faithful. God hears the groanings. One groan will make Him arise and go into action, just as the groans of Stephen caused Jesus to stand (Acts 7:56). David received assurance from God that the Lord would arise and free the weak and needy from oppression. God promised to deliver those who trusted in Him from those who were slandering them.
The Lord has seen the violence His poor have suffered. He has heard their groans of distress and the pain in their cries. Now He will go into action to answer the congregations’ cry for help. He will speak and act as the protector and champion of His people; He will arise and judge the liars and deceivers.
When God comes to deliver His people, He will “cut off” those who practice flattery and deception (v. 3), which means separation from the covenant community (Genesis 17:14), like the separation of the goats from the sheep (Matthew 25:32-33).
The Lord’s perfect (purified) and true words present a most radical contrast with the profane words of arrogant sinners. Their untarnished nature is compared to the process of refining silver; it is as if the words of the Lord had been refined seven times, the number of completeness and perfection. The imagery of a crucible, from which the fully-refined silver is poured down into molds set in the earth, is an apt illustration of the purity, value, and applicability to worldly needs of the divine Word, swiftly revealed and lastingly preserved. What God says is true and reliable. There are no errors mixed into God’s Word; all dross has been removed, therefore, they may be trusted completely and unconditionally. His words are not tainted with deceit and false flattery (in contrast with the wicked’s words, v. 2-3) but are fully dependable. The purity of God’s person assures the purity of His promises (Psalm 19:7-10).
Because of assurance from God that the afflicted would be delivered (v. 5) David expressed confidence in the untarnished words of God, even though he knew the wicked were all around him. That is one reason why we need to spend more time in the Word of God. It is the fortress into which the Lord wants to put us.
PRAY
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your grace and mercy. As we face such uncertainty in our circumstances right now, each passing day reveals to us we have no control over today, much less tomorrow. Help us to be a people of Your Word and Your Truth each and every day.