Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Psalm 12 (NIV)
For the director of music. According to sheminith. A psalm of David.
1 Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore; those who are loyal have vanished from the human race. 2 Everyone lies to their neighbor;
they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts. 3 May the Lord silence all flattering lips and every boastful tongue— 4 those who say, “By our tongues, we will prevail; our own lips will defend us—who is lord over us?” 5 “Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the Lord. “I will protect them from those who malign them.” 6 And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible like gold refined seven times. 7 You, Lord, will keep the needy safe and will protect us forever from the wicked, 8 who freely strut about when what is vile is honored by the human race.
When did a small word hurt a lot?
Lord, God You hear the wicked vile words of society today. Culture exalts vile character and morally foolish behavior. We can see it in the entertainers, politicians and sports figures. Their behavior is not just tolerated but held up as examples of how society wants all to live. Words are used to destroy good people’s careers, families, homes, and they generate violent destruction and hatred. They think that their words are going to lead them to victory and give them all the advantages they wish for in this life. Lord, we are being crushed by the deception and dishonesty of this vial society that encourages this terrible behavior. Righteousness is being marginalized. I know that You hear the sighing and groaning of the godly and faithful in society. By Your Word, I know that You also hate evil and desire to stop the exalting of vileness in a society. Your Word is always right and pure. Lord, we seek for You to save and deliver us. Come to our aid and deliver us from this evil. Guard Your people throughout our lifetime and forever. Amen