Psalm 12

Psalm 12:2-3, 4-5, 7-8

#340 Weekday Year II Context (Saturday of the 6th Week O)

R. (8a) You will protect us, Lord.

Help, O Lord! for no one now is dutiful;
faithfulness has vanished from among the children of men.
Everyone speaks falsehood to his neighbor;
with smooth lips they speak, and double heart.
R. You will protect us, Lord.

May the Lord destroy all smooth lips,
every boastful tongue,
Those who say, “We are heroes with our tongues;
our lips are our own; who is lord over us?”
R. You will protect us, Lord.

The promises of the Lord are sure,
like tried silver, freed from dross, sevenfold refined.
You, O Lord, will keep us
and preserve us always from this generation.
R. You will protect us, Lord.
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Commentary on Ps 12:2-3, 4-5, 7-8

Psalm 12 is a community lament, in these strophes the link in made to the evil words from those who are far from God’s law. The psalmist prays for God’s justice to be shown to the world. Laments comprise the largest category of psalms (40 individual laments, 12 national or communal laments). As with all laments, this psalm starts with the invocation of God's name followed by a descerption of the need (in this case the loss of faith among the children). It concludes with the prayer for help and the reasons the Lord should intervene, a vow to offer praise and sacrifice, and grateful praise of the Father. [1] 

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[1] New Jerome Biblical Commentary, Prentice-Hall, inc. © 1990, 34:9, p. 525.
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