Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

Psalm 12. This is a community lament, suited to occasions when the people of God are dominated by liars in positions of authority. It is not clear whether these liars are unfaithful Israelites or Gentile oppressors; the psalm works for either situation.

12:1-2 The Liars Prevail. As usual in laments, the psalm describes the situation: the particular kinds of lies are flattering lips and insincere speech (a double heart), both of which manipulate others for the sake of gain (v. 2). In such an environment the godly and the faithful become so rare that it seems as if they have disappeared (v. 1), either because they have been suppressed or because they have been seduced into lying themselves.