Honestly speaking a community lament Psalm 12 Honestly speaking a community lament

The Psalms Poetic responses to the seasons and circumstances of life Lament – Thanksgiving – Praise Applied theology God’s people attempting to make sense of life in the context of their faith Compiled for worship in the second temple 1 000 years of material Popularised by synagogue worship Familiar to many by the time Jesus arrived.

Psalm 12:1-2 A cry for intervention 12:1 Save, O Lord, Yahweh – ‘the God who is present to help’

Psalm 12:1-2 A cry for intervention The reasons for David’s distress There’s a lack of faithful people 12:1 Save, O Lord, for the godly one is gone;     for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man. A shortage of salt to retard decay/light to repel darkness Matt 5:13-16 There’s a plague of dishonest people 2 Everyone utters lies to his neighbour;     with flattering lips and a double heart they speak. Flattery and deception prevail

Psalm 12:3-4 The case for the prosecution The recommended action for Yahweh to take with dishonest people 3 May the Lord cut off all flattering lips,     the tongue that makes great boasts, David leaves it with God to interpret the metaphor Romans 12:19 Two pieces of damning evidence 4 those who say, “With our tongue we will prevail,     our lips are with us; who is master over us?” Arrogant confidence in the power of spin Arrogant disregard for the authority of Yahweh

Psalm 12:5-6 This is the word of the Lord An assurance from Yahweh that he will take action 5 “Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan,     I will now arise,” says the Lord;     “I will place him in the safety for which he longs.” Yahweh’s words are honest – not tricky John 7:45-47 6 The words of the Lord are pure words,     like silver refined in a furnace on the ground,     purified seven times.

Psalm 12:7-8 The paradox of life for the faithful – now, but not yet Though we can trust Yahweh to be faithful to his words …. 7 You, O Lord, will keep them;     you will guard us from this generation forever. … our present reality is that we live in a chaotic world 8 On every side the wicked prowl,     as vileness is exalted among the children of man.

When God’s faithful find themselves in a dark space They can:- - cry out to ‘the God who is present’ for help - explain specifically what is disturbing them - ask him to manage their fear, anger and frustration - explain why he is worthy of their trust - confidently place their future in his hands   The Lord redeems the life of his servants;      none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. Psalm 34:22