Worse Than Sticks and Stones, Psalm 12
1 Help, Lord, for no one is faithful any more; those who are loyal have vanished from the human race.
Psalm 12 New International Version – UK (NIVUK) Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
2 Everyone lies to their neighbour; they flatter with their lips but harbour 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 for ever from the wicked,
8 who freely strut about when what is vile is honoured by the human race.
Worse Than Sticks and Stones
“…like silver purified in a crucible”
The Power of Words: we say “sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” Not true! This power can do a lot of good, but also a lot of harm.
David’s experience of harmful words:
- Lies
- Flattery
- Arrogant boasting
Like David we can trust in God, Who promises to keep us safe even though our circumstances haven’t changed. Verses 7 and 8.
He will help us meet lies with truth, flattery with honesty, boasting with humility.
