Psalms 12:4

Psalms 12:4 captures the audacious defiance and self-proclaimed autonomy of the wicked, who believe their words are their ultimate weapon and that they are accountable to no higher power. This verse is a stark declaration of rebellion against divine authority, highlighting the moral decay that David observes in his society.

Context

Psalm 12 is a lament of David, crying out to God in a time when "the godly man ceases; for the faithful fail from among the children of men" (Psalm 12:1). The psalm describes a pervasive atmosphere of deceit, flattery, and hypocrisy. The wicked speak "vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak" (Psalm 12:2). Verse 4 reveals the underlying motive and arrogant spirit behind such speech: a profound rejection of any external authority, especially God's.

Key Themes

• Arrogance and Self-Sufficiency: The wicked boast in their own verbal power, believing their words alone are sufficient to achieve their ends. They are consumed by a sense of self-importance and invincibility.
• Defiance of Divine Authority: The rhetorical question "who is lord over us?" is a direct challenge to God's sovereignty. It signifies a profound denial of accountability to any higher power or moral standard, representing a spirit of rebellion against God's rule over creation. This echoes the sentiment of those who reject God's authority, as seen in passages like Romans 1:21.
• Misuse of the Tongue: While the tongue has immense power for good or ill, this verse highlights its misuse as an instrument of pride, deceit, and oppression. Their words are not for building up but for prevailing over others without regard for truth or justice.
• Moral Anarchy: A society where individuals declare themselves masters of their own truth and actions, free from any divine or moral constraint, inevitably descends into chaos and injustice.

Linguistic Insights

• The phrase "will we prevail" comes from the Hebrew word gabar (גָּבַר), meaning "to be strong," "to be mighty," or "to overpower." It suggests their confidence that their words will grant them dominance and victory over others.
• "Our lips are our own" uses the Hebrew word saphah (שָׂפָה), which can mean "lip," "language," or "speech." This emphasizes their claim to absolute autonomy over their words and, by extension, their entire lives, rejecting any external control.
• "Who is lord over us?" uses the Hebrew term adon (אָדוֹן), meaning "lord" or "master." This is a direct affront to God, the ultimate Lord, and reveals a spirit of rebellion against His rightful place as sovereign. This defiant attitude is also seen in Psalm 73:9, where the wicked "set their mouth against the heavens."

Practical Application

Psalms 12:4 serves as a timeless warning and a call to reflection:

• Accountability of Speech: For believers, this verse is a stark reminder that our words are not truly "our own" in the sense of being free from divine accountability. We are called to use our tongues for truth, blessing, and righteousness, knowing that we will give an account for every idle word (Matthew 12:36). The power of life and death is truly in the tongue, as Proverbs 18:21 states.
• Discernment: It encourages discernment in listening to others. We should be wary of those who speak boastfully, deceptively, or with an open rejection of God's truth and moral standards.
• Humility vs. Pride: The verse highlights the destructive nature of pride and self-will, contrasting it with the humble submission to God that characterizes true faith.
• Trust in God's Word: In a world filled with deceit and defiant speech, the psalm concludes with a reaffirmation of God's pure and trustworthy words, which are "pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times" (Psalm 12:6). This provides comfort and stability amidst moral chaos.