Overview: NET, The psalmist asks the Lord to intervene, for society is overrun by deceitful, arrogant oppressors and godly individuals are a dying breed. When the Lord announces his intention to defend the oppressed, the psalmist affirms his confidence in the divine promise.
(1) What makes the godly and the people with integrity disappeared v.1? The liar oppressed them. They lied, flattered, deceived and spoke persuasively v.2-4. Not only that they feared no one. They asked,
v.4 b "Who is our master?”
NET, The rhetorical question expresses the arrogant attitude of these people. As far as they are concerned, they are answerable to no one for how they speak.
Their weapon was their languages, and they are powerful. Their languages was strong enough to do violence and caused people to have painful cries. It even threated the safety of the oppressed v.5.
Reflection: Verbal abuse is often overlooked. We may not be strong even to hurt others physically, but our words could have caused harm to people we love. Of course, we did not meant to hurt them like the oppressor here, but still, we need to remember that words can be harmful.
(2) In v.5, the LORD said He will rise up and deliver the oppressed and v.7-8 confirmed that God will protect them. How? Perhaps v.6 is the answer to v.5.
v.5b “I will provide the safety they so desperately desire.”
12:6 The LORD’s words are absolutely reliable.
They are as untainted as silver purified in a furnace on the ground,
where it is thoroughly refined.
The way to save the oppressed from the lies is to provide them with the reliable words. Truth does not seem very much in saving a person. Looks what happening in today's pandemic. Truth and transparency of the government saves a lot of lives. Most important of all, God's truth saves not only the physical lives, but the eternal lives.
Audrey
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