The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.
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
Here we return to the fount of bitterness, which first made the psalmist run to the wells of salvation, namely, the prevalence of wickedness. When those in power are vile, their underlings will be no better. As a warm sun brings out noxious flies, so does a sinner in honour foster vice everywhere.
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