Psalm 12:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the children of man.

NIV: who freely strut about when what is vile is honored by the human race.

NASB: The wicked strut about on every side When vileness is exalted among the sons of mankind.

CSB: The wicked prowl all around, and what is worthless is exalted by the human race.

NLT: even though the wicked strut about, and evil is praised throughout the land.

KJV: The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.

NKJV: The wicked prowl on every side, When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.

This lament circles back to the first words of this psalm (Psalm 12:1). From David's viewpoint, wicked people are everywhere. Like predators, they stalk the poor and helpless from all angles (Psalm 12:2–5). This is much like Satan, who hunts like a lion, looking for spiritual prey (1 Peter 5:8).

As a result of this pervasive evil, "vileness" is praised throughout the land. The word translated "vileness" in the ESV is used only here in the Old Testament. The term implies something cheap, low-quality, or inferior. In this context, David is using the word in direct contrast to the Word of God, which is as precious as seven-times-refined silver (Psalm 12:6). Since God's words are good and holy (Psalm 18:30), the opposite of this would be something disgusting, or "vile."

As in David's time, modern culture puts a high value on what is actually worthless or cheap. It exalts such things as immorality, the love of money, alcoholism, lewdness, disregard for law and order, egotism, vandalism, and spiritual arrogance. What God condemns in the Ten Commandments, wicked people not only embrace but also recommend to others (Romans 1:32). Paul describes such people as bound for destruction. He writes that "Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things" (Philippians 3:19).

Psalm 12:5–8 comes after David described oppressors of the poor and needy who boasted about their deeds and felt no accountability. In this section, David expresses assurance that God will intervene on behalf of the oppressed. The wicked spoke lies and deceptive words, but David reflects upon the Lord's words as pure and dependable. He is confident that the Lord will protect the afflicted.

In this short song, David mourns for what he sees as an entirely corrupt, evil culture. The people around him seem entirely filled with lies, flattery, and deception. These arrogant smooth-talkers think the power of their words will achieve whatever they desire. In contrast to the evil words the wicked employ, are the Lord's words. They are as pure and precious as silver refined seven times over in a furnace. David is confident that the Lord will protect His people from the harm their wicked contemporaries are inflicting. David concludes the psalm with a description of the widespread evil committed by the wicked. It is everywhere, and it is highly praised throughout the land.

This psalm reveals a basic contrast between the words of deceitful, flattering evildoers and the pure, reliable words of God. David laments the speech and behavior of a proud, deceitful culture. This brings to mind similar complaints from the Old Testament (Habakkuk 1:2–4; Psalm 22). He also expresses assurance that the Lord will protect him and all the righteous from their wicked contemporaries (Psalm 3:3).

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.