The Watchman's Diary

Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men. They speak idly everyone with his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak. May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaks proud things, who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail; our lips are our own; who is lord over us?” “For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now I will arise,” says the Lord; “I will set him in the safety for which he yearns.” The wicked prowls on every side, when vileness is exalted among the sons of men. (Psalm 12 1-5, 8).

Have you found yourself saying “Help, Lord” more frequently of late? Well, you are not alone! Verse 8 of Psalm 12 says that when vileness – highly offensive, unpleasant, or objectionable behavior – is exalted (placed at a high or powerful level; held in high regard), the wicked will prowl on every side. Look at where society is today and tell me if you think we have heeded this warning? 

I often hear the phrase “history repeats itself” and it seems that many generations past and present holds that to be true. It is as true today as it was when David wrote this psalm that it appears the godly and the faithful are disappearing from among us. Vileness has been placed on the pedestal and the wicked take their seat at the head of the table.

We live in an age where truth is obscure and sinful behavior is praised and celebrated. David may well have written this psalm for our day.  Flattery and deceit flows From the pulpit to the highest office and lies are embraced and repeated without conviction. Some wonder why people would willingly follow the Antichrist and the false prophet. Well, just take a look at our current culture and the state of our politics! Just speaking rebuke about a famous political figure has Christians attacking each other with no regard for biblical truth.

“Our lips are our own; who is lord over us?” This is such a powerful statement and speaks to our current reality. Whether it is freedom of speech or loyalty to individuals or groups, we have become a people who say whatever we want without regard for the truth, or the Lord. Who is lord over us? It appears that in America the Constitution is lord over many. They run to it for cover to spew their vile messages and to spread lies without being held accountable. They hide behind freedom of speech as they oppress the poor and defenseless.

But we who are faithful – we who declares Jesus Christ as Lord – knows that He will arise to defend the widow and the fatherless, the poor and defenseless. He will set his faithful ones in safety for which we yearn. Safety is in Jesus; He is our salvation.

“The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. You shall keep them, Lord, you shall preserve them from this generation forever” (Psalm 12:6,7).