Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Psalms Ch.12 / 150 Ch.s
PS:12
* The psalmist begs help of God, because there were none among
men whom he durst trust.
- This psalm furnishes good thoughts for bad times; a man may
comfort himself with such meditations and prayers. Let us see
what makes the times bad, and when they may be said to be so.
Ask the children of this world, What makes the times bad? they
will tell you, Scarcity of money, decay of trade, and the
desolations of war, make the times bad: but the Scripture lays
the badness of the times on causes of another nature, #2Ti 3:1,
&c.|: perilous times shall come, for sin shall abound; and of
this David complains. When piety decays times really are bad. He
who made man's mouth will call him to an account for his proud,
profane, dissembling, or even useless words. When the poor and
needy are oppressed, then the times are very bad. God himself
takes notice of the oppression of the poor, and the sighing of
the needy. When wickedness abounds, and is countenanced by those
in authority, then the times are very bad. See with what good
things we are here furnished for such bad times; and we cannot
tell what times we may be reserved for. 1. We have a God to go
to, from whom we may ask and expect the redress of all our
grievances. 2. God will certainly punish and restrain false and
proud men. 3. God will work deliverance for his oppressed
people. His help is given in the fittest time. Though men are
false, God is faithful; though they are not to be trusted, God
is. The preciousness of God's word is compared to silver refined
to the highest degree. How many proofs have been given of its
power and truth! God will secure his chosen remnant, however bad
the times are. As long as the world stands, there will be a
generation of proud and wicked men. But all God's people are put
into the hands of Christ our Saviour; there they are in safety,
for none can pluck them thence; being built on Him, the Rock,
they are safe, notwithstanding temptation or persecution come
with ever so much force upon them.