Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.
When the godly cease and the faithful fail, the times are truly bad, not for want of money or trade, but because wickedness abounds and honest men are scarce. These deceivers speak with flattery on one side and malice on the other, their words smooth but their hearts divided against truth.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 12:1-8
"Help, Lord." A short but sweet, suggestive, seasonable, and serviceable prayer; a kind of angel's sword, to be turned every way, and to be used on all occasions. Ainsworth says the word rendered "help, " is largely used for all manner of saving, helping, delivering, preserving, etc. Thus it seems that the prayer is very full and instructive.
Bad times come not chiefly from scarcity or war, but from the decay of piety and honesty among men. Godly men are faithful men; their word binds as firmly as an oath. When such men cease or fail, whether by death or desertion, the times grow truly dark.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 12:1-8