I wonder what, or who, David had in mind when he penned these words:

You, Lord, will keep the needy safe and will protect us forever from the wicked, who freely strut about when what is vile is honored by the human race.

David, a warrior from his youth, was certainly no prude. He experience challenges and hardships, multiple wives and multiple wars. He was familiar with threats and dangerous men. What despicable sights and action turned his head? Who were those wicked ones strutting about before him?

I wonder what David would think of our internet, and our massive industrial entertainment complex? What about our culture of unbridled individualism slathered with narcissism? The unadulterated pursuit of money and fame? Perhaps David might sense honor going towards the vile as well. I certainly do.

With 3,000-year old words, David sounds up to date with his prescription for such times. A different way exists. The words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times.

In the midst of vile, David embraced the words of the Lord and the safety of his protection. The shocking, sleazy, vulgar deceptions of our times fail in the end. It’s the Lord’s world, and he remains the hope of the needy.

Psalm 12 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Albert Dera