TGFABT – Psalm 12
“We will triumph with our tongues; we own our lips.”
Psalm 12:14
We live in a world where white lies are acceptable, half-truths are considered not harmful, and deception is tolerated.
The words of the unfaithful and ungodly (V1)
Lies
A false statement made with deliberate intent to deceive; an intentional untruth (V2)
Flattery
Insincere praise or compliment (V2)
Deception
To mislead by false appearance or statement (V2)
Boasting
To speak with exaggeration and excessive pride, especially about oneself (V3)
The words of the Lord are flawless (V6)
Truth
A verified or indisputable fact, proposition, principle, or the like
Compliment
An expression of praise, commendation, or admiration:
Honesty
Honorable in principles, intentions, and actions; upright and fair
Modesty
Having or showing a moderate or humble estimate of one’s merits, importance, etc.; free from vanity, egotism, boastfulness,
Truth
Psalm 12:7
“O LORD, you will keep us safe and protect us from such people forever.”
Such things are happening: lies, flattering, , deception, and boasting therefore such people (I can be a “such people.”) God will protect me and keep me safe. He will even protect and keep me safe from me. (I can be a “such people.”) He will protect and keep me safe from other “such people” around me of which I am unaware of.
This huge for me: His protection might mean pain. The pain can come in many forms: ending a relationship, changing jobs, changing churches, or asking a rebellious child to move out. I have to remember that there is purpose in pain. It is teacher and though He allows me to experience it, He protection is always over me.
Word Study
Psalm 12:7
“O LORD, you will keep us safe and protect us from such people forever. ”
Natsar (naw-tsar’)
To watch, guard, keep, observe
I am reminded of Psalm 11:4 form last week’s study. The Lord is on His Heavenly throne watching, guarding, keeping, and observing all things. Nothing goes unnoticed. Nothing flies under His radar. Even though I think or feel like He is ignoring all that is happening, He is not.
Thankful
I am so grateful to be invited in to God’s story through prayer. I am humbled to pray for my friends and the things that are burdening them.
Faith Stretching/Strengthening
How is God stretching your faith?
Keep watch over my lips. Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you.and wisdom as I plan and pack. He has taken all my anxieties away.
WoW!!!! I love the the Psalm this week! So much in there! I love the emphasis on the meaning of the words and the reminder that my tongue shows what is in my heart and who my master is. I love the reminder that I need to have more of the Lord’s FLAWLESS Word in my heart so that HIs Words are the words on my lips!!!
I too found this a very powerful Psalm. I know I say things that are hurtful and not always the full truth, not realizing that I am not speaking what the Lord wants me to have in my heart which are his flawless words.
Being human we all speak those words we should not. This is not an excuse but a realization to always try to be better. I want my words to always build people up and not I jute them in anyway. Please help me to do this Lord! I am so grateful for the words of praise I receive. Help me to bestow these on others!
*hurt them
This lesson really makes me think of how often I try to word the things I say in just the right way so to make others see things my way. I need to look harder into what is God’s way. I’m looking forward to studying this lesson further this week.
I appreciated the vocabulary lesson Wendy gave us with this verse. I know that I am guilty of letting things come out of my mouth before I really think of what they sound like after they leave my lips and then later I think, ‘why did you say that, or what were you thinking.’ This teaches me that my words should be more like an email. When we write an email we have the chance to write it, reread it and if we have underlying tones in it we can just delete it. With our lips we don’t have that option. Praise God, that he loves us in spite of ourselves.
Truth Tuesday: This Psalm is so appropriate as it goes right along with the study we are doing in Sunday school and what Rod said on Sunday. The Psalm begins by asking where have the godly gone…instead of standing out, they are conforming to the world , blending in so they are not even recognizable. This just doesn’t describe the world of the Psalmist, but better describes our world where we flatter instead of speak truth, where we are tolerant of everything so as not to offend anyone, where we blend in so much it is hard to tell who is a person of fatih. I want to be someone who reflects God and His character. I want to stand out even when it is difficult. I want to be a person who stands for truth. This Psalm was a convicting reminder that I so often fail to be different.
I watched the video this morning before work and will do Truth Tuesday and the E-book when I get home tonight! What a powerful lesson. I am guilty of not telling the whole story sometimes and I appreciated Wendy pointing out that this is not ok either. While I am not telling a “bold-faced” lie, I am misleading or deceiving; even if it is unintentional, it is wrong, a lie. This is something I will work on this week. Making sure to tell “the whole truth, and nothing but the truth”!!
I agree with what Jackie said. We need to be continually aware of the words we speak and the tone in which we say them. Stop and think before we say anything a d to says with love.
I too see our “global society” turning many of us into “yes men and women”. How very sad. Truth is I too can be one of THOSE people too. I will be focusing my attentions on speaking the truth more often and praising Him more.
Today was hard truth. My daughter was turned down for a job she has been training almost 6 months for. So hard to see the disappointment in her eyes. But we all know God has other plans for her 🙂
Definitely hard to be a mom and have to watch our kids go through hard situations. Completely understand Kim! Can’t wait to hear what other doors open for her.
My truth today is that, as Wendy said in the e-book study, my relationship with the Lord needs constant renewal and refreshment in order to learn and grow. If I fail to put time and effort into my relationship with Him, it will never grow. How true is that!?!?
I love all your comments ladies! I agree! It is so hard to continually speak in such a way that it honors God which is why it is so important to be in His Word consistently. The Word study contrasting man’s words and God’s Word was so good this week and a reminder to ask God to help His words be mine. I especially liked the Amplified version of verse 1: Help, Lord! For principled and godly people are here no more; faithfulness and the faithful vanish from among the sons of men. It is clear that the godly no longer stand out.
So thankful that His Word is still relevant today and convicts, teaches, encourages us to be more like HIm.
Truth Tuesday is hard to do sometimes because I have to fess up to my thoughts, words and actions and know that I can lie to myself but not to the all knowing God. Sometimes honesty isn’t the best policy when you should not say something that you know will intentionally hurt someone. Been there done that. Honesty with yourself and bringing my sins to him is what I take from this Psalm. There is so much to absorb in this weeks lesson! I have to remember that God is ever present and he is in all situations. Word Wednesday, I am able to choose either lies, deception, flattery, boasting or God’s words of Truth, Compliment, Honesty, Modesty.
Amen! Vicki
I am thankful for my walk with God that as I am dealing with the trials of life that I am still reaching out to God knowing he is right there with me and I am able to see joy as in the laughter of my grandchildren.
I am thankful for all the other godly people God has put in my life to be examples of his love.
Word Study Wednesday – I love love love the idea of the Lord keeping guard over me. Whatever goes on in my life today, he sees it all nothing is left unnoticed. However, the flipside of this is, He sees all the wrong I do. He still loves me though!!
Thankful Thursday – In the e-book today, a phrase really stuck out to me. “The godly have chosen the road of least resistance.” How many times do I choose a path simply because it is easiest for me, not necessarily the best way. I need to be mindful of this and choose the path that leads to the cross. Everyday.
I am thankful for good news so far concerning my sons health. Praying for good news with the next round of tests!
I’m also very thankful thank my daughter is pregnant with her 2nd! God is certainly good!
God has showed me yet again to have faith! His constant reminders fuel my body and soul!