Psalm 12

Last updated
This article is about Psalm 12 in Hebrew (Masoretic) numbering. For Psalm 12 in Greek Septuagint or Latin Vulgate numbering, see Psalm 13 .
Psalm 12
"Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth"
Psalm of lament
Elzevir bible.jpg
Psalm 12 in the 17th-century Elsevier bible
Other name
  • Psalm 11
  • "Salvum me fac"
LanguageHebrew (original)
Psalm 12
←  Psalm 11
Psalm 13  →
Book Book of Psalms
Hebrew Bible part Ketuvim
Order in the Hebrew part1
Category Sifrei Emet
Christian Bible part Old Testament
Order in the Christian part19

Psalm 12 is the twelfth psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men." In the Greek Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate, it is psalm 11 in a slightly different numbering, "Salvum me fac". [1] Its authorship is traditionally assigned to King David. [2]

Contents

The psalm forms a regular part of Jewish, Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican and other Protestant liturgies. It was set to music by composers including Johann Sebastian Bach.

Text

Hebrew

The following table shows the Hebrew text [3] [4] of the Psalm with vowels alongside an English translation based upon the JPS 1917 translation (now in the public domain).

VerseHebrewEnglish translation (JPS 1917)
1לַמְנַצֵּ֥חַ עַֽל־הַשְּׁמִינִ֗ית מִזְמ֥וֹר לְדָוִֽד׃‎For the Leader; on the Sheminith. A Psalm of David.
2הוֹשִׁ֣יעָה יְ֭הֹוָה כִּֽי־גָמַ֣ר חָסִ֑יד כִּי־פַ֥סּוּ אֱ֝מוּנִ֗ים מִבְּנֵ֥י אָדָֽם׃‎Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; For the faithful fail from among the children of men.
3שָׁ֤וְא ׀ יְֽדַבְּרוּ֮ אִ֤ישׁ אֶת־רֵ֫עֵ֥הוּ שְׂפַ֥ת חֲלָק֑וֹת בְּלֵ֖ב וָלֵ֣ב יְדַבֵּֽרוּ׃‎They speak falsehood every one with his neighbour; With flattering lip, and with a double heart, do they speak.
4יַכְרֵ֣ת יְ֭הֹוָה כׇּל־שִׂפְתֵ֣י חֲלָק֑וֹת לָ֝שׁ֗וֹן מְדַבֶּ֥רֶת גְּדֹלֽוֹת׃‎May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, The tongue that speaketh proud things!
5אֲשֶׁ֤ר אָמְר֨וּ ׀ לִלְשֹׁנֵ֣נוּ נַ֭גְבִּיר שְׂפָתֵ֣ינוּ אִתָּ֑נוּ מִ֖י אָד֣וֹן לָֽנוּ׃‎Who have said: 'Our tongue will we make mighty; Our lips are with us: who is lord over us?'
6מִשֹּׁ֥ד עֲנִיִּים֮ מֵאֶנְקַ֢ת אֶבְי֫וֹנִ֥ים עַתָּ֣ה אָ֭קוּם יֹאמַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֑ה אָשִׁ֥ית בְּ֝יֵ֗שַׁע יָפִ֥יחַֽ־לֽוֹ׃‎'For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, Now will I arise', saith the LORD; 'I will set him in safety at whom they puff.' .
7אִ֥מְר֣וֹת יְהֹוָה֮ אֲמָר֢וֹת טְהֹ֫ר֥וֹת כֶּ֣סֶף צָ֭רוּף בַּעֲלִ֣יל לָאָ֑רֶץ מְ֝זֻקָּ֗ק שִׁבְעָתָֽיִם׃‎The words of the LORD are pure words, As silver tried in a crucible on the earth, refined seven times.
8אַתָּֽה־יְהֹוָ֥ה תִּשְׁמְרֵ֑ם תִּצְּרֶ֓נּוּ ׀ מִן־הַדּ֖וֹר ז֣וּ לְעוֹלָֽם׃‎Thou wilt keep them, O LORD; Thou wilt preserve us from this generation for ever.
9סָבִ֗יב רְשָׁעִ֥ים יִתְהַלָּכ֑וּן כְּרֻ֥ם זֻ֝לּ֗וּת לִבְנֵ֥י אָדָֽם׃‎The wicked walk on every side, When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.

King James Version

  1. Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.
  2. They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.
  3. The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:
  4. Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?
  5. For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.
  6. The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
  7. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
  8. The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.

Interpretation

There is a cry for help amidst evil men: God will cut off flattering lips. Charles Spurgeon vividly describes the finality saying

They will not be able to continue speaking falsely and proudly for over;
a shovelful of earth from the grave-digger’s spade will silence them,
and a terrible display of God’s justice will make them speechless for ever. [5]

An answer to the cry for help comes: God will arise and defend the poor. Many writers have pointed out that it is not at all clear where God said "Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise". Some suggested some special revelation possibly through David himself, as David claimed "The spirit of God spoke through me" in 2 Samuel 23:2. Other possibilities include Isaiah 33:10, "I will arise", in the context of a greater salvation for Israel, or arising for judgement as in Genesis 18:20-21, where the Lord got up and went down to Sodom because of cries of oppression. [6]

Hope in God's promise that "I will arise and defend the poor" is bolstered by a reminder that God's word is like silver that was purified over and over even 7 times. That help will be apparently deferred in Psalm 13 with cries of 'How long?' David himself, in his final Psalm of blessing for Solomon, urges Solomon to also defend the poor in Psalm 72:4 emulating God. [7]

Man's sinful state is a theme and like the two psalms before it, Psalm 12 ends with an uncomplimentary statement about fallen men in verse 8. The godly man ceases in psalm 12:1, sinful remain in Psalm 14:1-4 [8]

The reformation theologian John Calvin, in his commentary on this psalm, interprets the passage as referring to the truthfulness of God in contrast to humanity, saying that the elaboration of God's actions in the psalm reflect promises God had made with the Israelites. [9]

The genre of the psalm is unclear. [10] Jörg Jeremias  [ de ] sees in it most as the "prophetic action liturgy". Hermann Gunkel also speaks of the Psalm as "liturgy". [11] Here "liturgy" means the intention of the performance was for changing voices was in the service. [12]

Structure

Gunkel divides the psalm as follows: [13]

  1. Verses 2-2: After a short cry for help, the complaint that falsehood prevails
  2. Verses 4-5: desire YHWH may intervene
  3. Verse 6: consolation that YHWH salvation appears now
  4. Verses 7-9: Answers: praise the word of YHWH

Usage

Judaism

This psalm is recited on Shmini Atzeret [14] and at a brit milah. [14]

Catholic Church

According to the Rule of St. Benedict (530 AD), Psalm 1 to Psalm 20 were mainly reserved for the office of Prime. This Psalm, 11, was recited or sung at Prime on Wednesdays. [15] A number of monasteries still respect this tradition. In the Liturgy of the Hours, Psalm 12 is now recited on Tuesdays of the first week during the midday office. [16]

Book of Common Prayer

In the Church of England's Book of Common Prayer , this psalm is appointed to be read on the evening of the second day of the month. [17]

Musical settings

In 1523, Martin Luther paraphrased Psalm 12 in a hymn, "Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein". Heinrich Schütz wrote a setting of it, SWV 108, for the Becker Psalter , published first in 1628. Johann Sebastian Bach wrote a cantata about it, Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein, BWV 2 in Leipzig in 1724.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 104</span>

Psalm 104 is the 104th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in Hebrew "ברכי נפשי" ; in English in the King James Version: "Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great". In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate version of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 103. In Latin, it is known as "Benedic anima mea Domino".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 103</span> Biblical psalm

Psalm 103 is the 103rd psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Bless the LORD, O my soul". The Book of Psalms is part of the third section of the Hebrew Bible, and a book of the Christian Old Testament. In Latin, it is known as "Benedic anima mea Domino". The psalm is a hymn psalm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 82</span> Biblical psalm

Psalm 82 is the 82nd psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.". In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 81. In Latin, it is known as "Deus stetit in synagoga deorum". It is one of the 12 Psalms of Asaph. The New King James Version describes it as "a plea for justice"; Alexander Kirkpatrick sees it as "a vision of God as the Judge of judges".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 14</span> Biblical psalm

Psalm 14 is the 14th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God." In the Greek Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate, it is psalm 13 in a slightly different numbering, "Dixit insipiens in corde suo". Its authorship is traditionally assigned to King David. With minor differences, it is nearly identical in content with Psalm 53. Hermann Gunkel dates the psalm to the exile period.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 95</span>

Psalm 95 is the 95th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation". The Book of Psalms starts the third section of the Hebrew Bible, and, as such, is a book of the Christian Old Testament. In the slightly different numbering system in the Greek Septuagint version of the Bible, and in the Latin Vulgate, this psalm is Psalm 94. In Latin, it is known as "Venite exultemus" or simply "Venite". The psalm is a hymn psalm, one of the Royal psalms, praising God as the King of His people. Psalm 95 identifies no author, but Hebrews 4:7 attributes it to David. The Vulgate also names David as the author.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 9</span> Biblical psalm

Psalm 9 is the ninth psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works." In Latin, it is known as "Confitebor tibi, Domine". The topic of the psalm is that the success of evil is only temporary, and in the end, the righteous will endure. Psalm 10 is considered part of Psalm 9 in the Greek Septuagint and in most pre-Reformation Christian Bibles. These two consecutive psalms have the form of a single acrostic Hebrew poem.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 74</span>

Psalm 74 is the 74th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever?". In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 73. In Latin, it is known as "Ut quid Deus reppulisti in finem iratus". Subheaded a maschil or contemplation, and a community lament, it expresses the pleas of the Jewish community in the Babylonian captivity. It is attributed to Asaph.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 148</span> Biblical psalm

Psalm 148 is the 148th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Praise ye the Lord from the heavens". In Latin, it is known as "Laudate Dominum de caelis". The psalm is one of the Laudate psalms. Old Testament scholars have also classified it as a creation psalm and a wisdom psalm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 2</span> Second psalm of the Book of Psalms

Psalm 2 is the second psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Why do the heathen rage". In Latin, it is known as "Quare fremuerunt gentes". Psalm 2 does not identify its author with a superscription, but Acts 4:24–26 in the New Testament attributes it to David. According to the Talmud, Psalm 2 is a continuation of Psalm 1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 7</span> Biblical psalm

Psalm 7 is the seventh psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me". In Latin, it is known as "Domine Deus meus in te speravi". Its authorship is traditionally assigned to King David. The message in the psalm is that the righteous may seem weak, but ultimately will prevail against the wicked.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 11</span> Biblical psalm

Psalm 11 is the eleventh psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?" In the Greek Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate, it is psalm 10, in a slightly different numbering, "In Domino confido". Its authorship is traditionally assigned to King David, but most scholars place its origin some time after the end of the Babylonian captivity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 13</span> 13th psalm in the Book of Psalms

Psalm 13 is the 13th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version (KJV): "How long, O Lord". The Book of Psalms is part of the third section of the Hebrew Bible, and a book of the Christian Old Testament. In the Greek Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate, this psalm is Psalm 12 in a slightly different numbering system. In Latin, it is known as "Usquequo Domine".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 34</span> Biblical psalm

Psalm 34 is the 34th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth." The Book of Psalms is part of the third section of the Hebrew Bible, and a book of the Christian Old Testament. In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 33. In Latin, it is known as "Benedicam Dominum in omni tempore".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 39</span> Biblical psalm

Psalm 39 is the 39th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue". The Book of Psalms is part of the third section of the Hebrew Bible, and a book of the Christian Old Testament. In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 38. In Latin, it is known as "Dixi custodiam vias meas". It is a meditation on the fragility of man before God, ending in a prayer for a peaceful life.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 140</span> 140th psalm of the biblical Book of Psalms

Psalm 140 is the 140th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man". In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint version of the Bible, and the Latin Vulgate, this psalm is Psalm 139. In Latin, it is known as "Eripe me Domine ab homine malo". It is part of the final Davidic collection of psalms, comprising Psalms 138 to 145, which are specifically attributed to David in their opening verses. It describes putting one's trust in God while threatened with evil. The New King James Version entitles it a "Prayer for Deliverance from Evil Men".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 136</span>

Psalm 136 is the 136th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. ". The Book of Psalms is part of the third section of the Hebrew Bible, and a book of the Christian Old Testament. In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 135. In Latin, it is known by the incipit, "Confitemini Domino quoniam bonus". It is sometimes referred to as "The Great Hallel". The Jerusalem Bible calls it a "Litany of Thanksgiving". It is notable for the refrain which forms the second half of each verse, translated as "For His mercy endures forever" in the New King James Version, or "for his steadfast love endures for ever" in the Revised Standard Version.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 132</span>

Psalm 132 is the 132nd psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "LORD, remember David, and all his afflictions". In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint version of the bible and in the Latin Vulgate, this psalm is Psalm 130. In Latin, it is known as "Memento Domine David".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 55</span> Biblical psalm

Psalm 55 is the 55th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version, "Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not thyself from my supplication". The Book of Psalms forms part of the ketuvim, the third section of the Hebrew Bible, and is part of the Christian Old Testament. In the slightly different numbering system of the Greek Septuagint version of the Bible, and in the Latin Vulgate, this psalm is Psalm 54. In Latin, it is known as "Exaudi Deus orationem meam". The psalm is a lament in which the author grieves because he is surrounded by enemies, and one of his closest friends has betrayed him.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 80</span> 80th psalm in the biblical Book of Psalms

Psalm 80 is the 80th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock". In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 79. In Latin, it is known as "Qui regis Israel intende". It is one of the 12 Psalms of Asaph. The New American Bible calls it "a prayer for Jerusalem". The Jerusalem Bible describes it as "a prayer for the restoration of Israel".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 115</span> 115th psalm of the Book of Psalms

Psalm 115 is the 115th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory". It is part of the Egyptian Hallel sequence in the fifth division of the Book of Psalms.

References

  1. ↑ "Parallel Latin/English Psalter / Psalmus 11". Archived from the original on 2017-09-30. Retrieved 2019-07-28.
  2. ↑ Morgenstern, Julian. "Psalm 11." Journal of Biblical Literature, vol. 69, no. 3, 1950, pp. 221–231.
  3. ↑ "Psalms – Chapter 12". Mechon Mamre.
  4. ↑ "Psalms 12 - JPS 1917". Sefaria.org.
  5. ↑ Spurgeon, C. H., Spurgeon's Verse Expositions of the Bible: Psalm 12, accessed 20 July 2020
  6. ↑ "Genesis 18:20-21 ESV - - Bible Gateway".
  7. ↑ "Bible Gateway passage: Psalm 72:4 - English Standard Version".
  8. ↑ "Bible Gateway passage: Psalm 14 - English Standard Version".
  9. ↑ Calvin, John (1850). King, John (ed.). Calvin's Commentaries, Vol. 8: Psalms, Part I . Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  10. ↑ Theodor Lescow,Das Stufenschema( 1992), p123.
  11. ↑ Hermann Gunkel, Die Psalmen (1986), p. 43.
  12. ↑ Hermann Gunkel ,Einleitung in die Psalmen (1985), p. 407.
  13. ↑ Hermann Gunkel, Die Psalmen, p43
  14. 1 2 The Artscroll Tehillim page 329
  15. ↑ Prosper Guéranger, Règle de saint Benoît, Abbaye Saint-Pierre de Solesmes, reprinted 2007, p46.
  16. ↑ The main cycle of liturgical prayers takes place over four weeks.
  17. ↑ Church of England, Book of Common Prayer: The Psalter as printed by John Baskerville in 1762, p. 203
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.