1.0 God’s Intervention

Psalm 12:5 (KJV) “For the oppression of the Poor, for the sighing of the Needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him (Poor and Needy) in safety from him (Wicked Person) who puffs at him (Poor & Needy).”

1.0.1 Oppression

Psalm 12:5a reveals that the LORD knows “The oppression of the afflicted (“Poor”), and He (LORD) hears “the groaning of the Needy.”  

• The Hebrew noun for “Oppression” means “Violence, devastation.”
• The Poor (Afflicted) are being oppressed by the People who are defrauding them.
• In turn, the Afflicted (Poor) sigh/groan under the Person’s injustice.
• Psalm 12:5a, “The oppression of the afflicted (“Poor”),” highlights God’s Concern for those who are Mistreated and Marginalized.
• Psalm 12:5a is part of a larger passage where the Psalmist cries out to God against the Oppressors who boast and Oppress the Poor (Afflicted).
• The term “oppress” means “to keep (someone) in subservience and hardship, especially by the unjust exercise of authority.” (Oxford English Dictionary)
• It is a serious assault. However, keeping Someone in hardship can be done in subtle ways.
• Other translations of Psalm 12:5a translate the word “oppress” as to “exploit” (CEB), “take advantage” (ERV), or “mistreat” (CEV).
• The more obvious Signs of Oppression are harsh actions such as cheating people, denying them services, or speaking rudely to them. But there are less direct ways that may also be harmful.
• In other Psalms, David connected evil to abuse of the poor and helpless (Psalm 9:9; Psalm 10:2).
• In prior verses (Psalm 12:1-4), David has complained that everyone around him has turned to deceptive speech and evil (Psalm 12:1–4).
• Psalm 12:5, David envisions God finally having enough of wickedness and choosing to act (Romans 2:5).
• This statement seems to be quoted later by Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 33:10), referring to God’s Judgement.
• In the time of Moses, the Hebrews were slaves in Egypt, and their taskmasters treated them badly. However, the LORD saw the Hebrews’ affliction and heard their cries. He told Moses: “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them” (Exodus 3:7–8).
• Jesus assured His Followers they have no reason to fear, because God sees even the sparrow’s fall, and He cares for His own (Matthew 10:29–31).
• Writing to the twelve Tribes of the Dispersion, James assures his persecuted Readers that God knows their troubles and will punish their Oppressors (James 5:1–6).
• James appeals to his Readers to wait patiently for the Coming of the Lord (James 5:7–8)

1.0.2 The Sighting

Psalm 12:5b “For the sighing of the needy.” The Needy groan (sigh) under their oppressions –

• Psalm 12:5b (NIV) ” And the sighing of the needy.”
• Psalm 12:5b (NASB) “For the sighing of the needy.”
• Psalm 12:5b highlights God’s Awareness and concern for those who are oppressed, poor, or needy.
• Psalm 12:5c “I will now arise” suggests God’s Promise to intervene on behalf of those who are suffering.
• Psalm 12:5c offers hope and reassurance that God will act to deliver and protect the vulnerable.
• Proverbs 22:22-23 “Because a man is poor, do not therefore cheat him, nor, at the city gate, oppress anybody in affliction; for the Lord takes up their cause, and extorts the life of their extortioners.”
• Proverbs 14:31 “Whoever is kind to the needy honours God,” Proverbs 14:31 teaches that when we counteract Oppression by acting kindly toward People living in Poverty, God receives it as an honour.

Psalms 12:5b reminds us that God takes note of the sufferings of the Poor/Needy and He is the Just and Compassionate God who cares deeply about the well-being of all people, especially those who are marginalized or oppressed.

The Organisation: “Food for the Hungry,” where the Workers work with People living in Poverty, the questions provided the tell-signs of the well-developed administrative Process:  

• Am I treating all People equally, recognizing that they bring God-given Gifts to the table? For example, in a PTA meeting at the Worker child’s school, do the Person discount another Parent’s Opinion because she appears to come from a different socioeconomic background?
• When the Organisation sees someone in need, do the Worker seeks to understand the underlying causes of their poverty, or am I giving to make myself feel better?
• Have I considered the way I shop, and the ways my buying choices may perpetuate poverty?
• Do I donate to organizations that include community members in the development Process?

The Lesson Psalms 12:5a – Psalm 12:5c, God assures “Now I will arise, I will set him in safety for which he longs,” indicating that God will intervene on behalf of the Poor and Needy.

1.0.3 God’s Intervention

Psalm 12:5c, God assures “Now I will arise, I will set him in safety for which he longs,” indicating that God will intervene on behalf of the Poor and Needy.

• In context of Psalm 12:5c, the Poor and Needy refer to those who are vulnerable, marginalized, and often mistreated by others. They need God’s Protection and Deliverance.
• Psalm 12:5c showcases God’s Character as a Just and Merciful God who cares about the well-being of His People, especially those who are Oppressed (Poor & Needy).
• Psalm 12:5c encourages trust in God’s Sovereignty and Justice, reminding Believers that He (God) sees their Struggles and will act in their behalf and in their favour. It is a call to Faith and Patience in times of Hardship and Oppression.
• Psalm 12:5 (LEB): “Because of the oppression of the afflicted, because of the groaning of the poor, now I will rise up,” Yahweh says. “I shall put them in the safety for which they long.”
• Psalm 12:5 (CSB): “Because of the oppression of the afflicted and the groaning of the poor, I will now rise up,” says the Lord. “I will put in a safe place the one who longs for it.”
• Psalm 12:5a comes from the Psalm where the Psalmist cries out to God because of the Wicked People who are Oppressing the Poor and Needy with their lies and deceit (Psalm 12:5c) 
• God responds, assuring the Psalmist that He sees the injustice and will intervene to protect the afflicted
• Psalm 12:5c seems to signify, that God would deliver the Poor and Needy from their Oppressions, and put them into a comfortable, prosperous, safe, and happy situation, in which God’s Justice will be done.
• Psalm 12:5c (KJV) highlights God’s Promise to intervene on behalf of the Poor and Needy, Protecting them from the Wicked. Mistreatment, reminding them that God sees their Struggles and will act on their behalf
• Psalm12:5c emphasizes God’s Willingness to arise and act on behalf of the afflicted.
• God Promises to set the Poor and Needy in safety, shielding them from those who seek to harm or oppress them.
• Psalm12:5c contrasts God’s Character with that of the Wicked, highlighting God’s Justice and Care for the Vulnerable.
• The Groans of God’s People rise to Him (God). He (God) knows, He hears, and He sees, and says: “Now will I arise” (Psalm 12:5c).
• The LORD is resolved that those who are Oppressed by the tongues of vanity will be vindicated by Him (God), and the Wicked Person who oppresses the Poor and Needy will be punished for puffing at them with lying lips.

Lesson: Psalm12:5 encourages trust in God’s Ability to Protect and Deliver the Poor and Needy. Psalm12:5 offers hope to those who are experiencing Oppression or.

1.0.4 God’s Presence

Psalm 12:5d “I will set [him] in safety [from him that] puffeth at him.”

• The Wicked may oppress and “puff” at the Person. It is as if to say with the breath of his lips, the Person could be blow away.
• Contempt – It is the thought of scorning; making light of the Person; treating the Person with contempt.
• The LORD will preserve His People and “set them in safety (Protect, NIV)” (Psalm 12:5c, KJV).
• In responding to David’s cry for help, The LORD promised: “I will set him in safety.” (Psalm 12:5c).
• “Safety” (KJV, “Protect,” NIV) comes from the same Hebrew root as “Help” in Psalm 12:1a and “Deliver” in Psalm 6:8 and is the basis for the Name “Jesus” and “Joshua” (“Jehovah is Salvation”).
• The noun “safety” here also means “Welfare, Prosperity,” indicating that the Poor will be rescued from their calamity and find the Fullness of Life for which they long.
• The Church of Jesus Christ must always remember that God has a Special Place in His heart for the Poor.
• God hears their cries (Exodus 2:23-35) and Promises to Anoint His Messiah to bring Good News to them (Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18).

Lesson – This is fulfilled by Jesus who came to Preach to the Poor, Heal them, and deliver them from the Oppression of their Enemies (Luke 4:16-21). 

1.1 God’s Time

Psalm 12:5 (KJV) “For the oppression of the Poor, for the sighing of the Needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him (Poor and Needy) in safety from him (Wicked Person) who puffs at him (Poor & Needy).”  At times, to the Person who is in desperate need, God may seem to delay, but He (God) will eventually, in His own time, respond to the Call (Prayer) of the Poor/Needy Person.

1.1 God’s Time

Psalm 12:5 (KJV) “For the oppression of the Poor, for the sighing of the Needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him (Poor and Needy) in safety from him (Wicked Person) who puffs at him (Poor & Needy).”  At times, to the Person who is in desperate need, God may seem to delay, but He (God) will eventually, in His own time, respond to the Call (Prayer) of the Poor/Needy Person.

1.1.1 Psalms 12:5a

“For the Oppression of the Poor” – The term “Oppression” signifies mean and despicable in the eyes of the men of this world, and so oppressed by them, as the Poor generally are by the wealthy. The People of Israel were oppressed by the Egyptians.

So will be Believers (God’s People), during the 3½ Yrs (Daniel 7:25; Daniel 12:7; Revelation 11:2; Revelation 11:3; Revelation 12:7; Revelation 12:14; Revelation 13:5 = 42 months; time times and half a time; 1260 days) Great Tribulation by the Antichrist and his Associates, Believers being martyred (Revelation 12:17; Revelation13:7; Revelation 20:4) by Antichrist, of his tyrannical methods.

1.1.2 Psalms 12:5b

“For the sighing of the needy;” who groan under their Oppressions. The Poor sigh inwardly, and cry unto the God, who sees their Oppressions, hears their Groans (sighs); and though He cannot be moved, as men are, by anything without himself, yet, according to His (God’s) abundant Mercy and Sovereign Will, He appears and exerts Himself on the behalf of His People, and for their Relief and Assistance.

1.1.3 Psalms 12:5c

“Now will I arise, saith the Lord.” to have Mercy on the Poor and Needy, and to avenge them against their Oppressors.

• The Lord – And this the Lord promises to do “now,” speedily, immediately.
• God Arises in the most Seasonable Time, when His People are in the greatest straits, and in the utmost distress and herein displays His Wisdom, Power, and Goodness.
• Petition – This is an Answer to the Petition of the Psalmist in ( Psalms 12:1 ).

1.1.4 Psalms 12:5d

“I will set [him] in safety [from him that] puffeth at him.”  The Wicked may oppress and “puff” at the Person. It is as if to say with the breath of his lips, the Person could be blow away. It is the thought of scorning; making light of the Person; treating the Person with contempt. But the LORD will preserve His People and “set them in safety (Protect, NIV)” (Psalm 12:5c, KJV).

1.2 God’s Word

Psalm 12:6 (KJV) “The Words of the LORD are Pure Words, like silver tried (tested) in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.”  

• Psalm 12:6 (KJV) highlights the Purity and Reliability of God’s Words.
• Psalm12:6 emphasizes that God’s Words are Pure, implying they are free from Error, Deceit, or Impurity.
• The Comparison to silver tested in a furnace illustrates the refining process, where impurities are removed, leaving only pure silver.
• The phrase “purified seven times” suggests a complete and thorough refining process, emphasizing the absolute purity of God’s Words.
• The Numeric “Seven” means Completeness, Perfection, – the number 7 is mentioned 57 times in the Book of Revelation; and total 600 times in the Bible). 
• Psalm 12:6 encourages Trust in the Reliability and Purity of God’s Word, recognizing its Value and Authority.
• Psalm12:6 contrasts God’s Words with Human Words, which can be flawed or deceitful, highlighting the superiority of Divine Revelation.
• What a contrast between the vain Words of men and God’s Pure Words.

Spurgeons comments: “The Bible has passed through the Furnace of Persecution, literary criticism, philosophic doubt, and scientific discovery, and has lost nothing but those human interpretations which clung to it as alloy to precious ore. The experience of Saints has tried the Words of God in every conceivable manner, but not a single Doctrine/Promise has been consumed in the most excessive heat.” (C.H.Spurgeon, “The Treasury of David,” Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1968).

Lesson, While the Words of men are vanity, God’s Words are Purity; while men speak with flattering lips, God speaks with tested Words. When the LORD makes a Promise, His People should trust on that Promise because the Words of the LORD are

• Pure Words because they are like “refined silver,” no alloy. Silver purified seven times in the furnace was silver perfectly pure. In the original there is an allusion to the most severely purifying process known to the Ancients.
• Tested Words – The Number Seven, in the Jewish mind, was an indicative of Perfection/Completion, indicating “Passing the test.”  
• God’s Words can be trusted because He (God) said: “I am Watching to see that My Word is fulfilled” (Jeremiah 1:12b, NIV).
• God’s Words are never yea and nay, but “Yea and Amen” (2Corinthians 1:18-20).
• There is no ambiguity or double meaning, in God’s Word (Promise) as there is with the words of the man (“double-hearted” – Psalm 12:2b).

• Psalms