The believer is commonly tempted to think that because trouble has lasted long,
it will last always, but if he will bring his cares and griefs to the throne of grace,
he may go away with praise, being assured that all will be well at last.
Psalm 1
1 Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.
2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.
3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:
4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?
5 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.
6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
8 The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.
Psalm 1 – J. Vernon McGee
Psalm 12 – God Our Refuge and Defense
The opening words of the next psalm appeal for help in bad and evil days. See Micah 7:2. A double heart, Psalm 12:2. Let us be true in act and speech, else we forfeit the Spirit of truth, Ephesians 4:25; Colossians 3:9. Our sighing will make God arise, Acts 7:56. We shall be helped and kept, Psalm 12:7 and Isaiah 54:17. —Through the Bible Day by Day
Psalm 12:6—The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth.
What a contrast is presented in this Psalm between God’s words and man’s! “They speak vanity… with flattering lips and with a double heart” (Psalms 12:2). God never flatters; his words are absolutely pure because they have passed through the furnace of his holiness, but they are therefore absolutely reliable and trustworthy.
As silver enriches its owner, so does the Word of God enrich its lovers. Nothing so strengthens the intellect, clears the judgment, enlarges the views, purifies the taste, quickens the imagination, and educates the whole man. The humblest day-laborer who imbibes the Bible becomes rich in thought and speech, and able to dispense his riches to others.
As silver is beautiful to the eye, so fair is the Word of God. After a boy born blind had been suddenly possessed of sight through an operation by a skilful oculist, his mother, led him out-of-doors, took off the bandages, and gave him his first view of sunshine, sky and flowers. “Oh, mother,” he cried, “why did you never tell me it was so beautiful!” With starting tears, she said, “I tried to tell you, my dear, but you could not understand me.” We need opened eyes, and then the Bible is more to be desired than fine gold.
As silver is pure, so is the Word of God; and it purifies. It has been the main purifying agent of the world. Though it deals with the corruptions of the human heart, it does so in such a delicate and holy manner as to excite within us something of the abhorrence of the Holy God. Like the passage of water through a sieve, it cleanses the heart and life. —Our Daily Homily