Psalm 12
1. Help, LORD, for no one is faithful anymore; those who are loyal have vanished from the human race.
2. Everyone lies to their neighbor; they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts.
3. May the LORD silence all flattering lips and every boastful tongue—
4 those who say, “By our tongues we will prevail; our own lips will defend us—who is lord over us?”
5. “Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the LORD. “I will protect them from those who malign them.”
6 And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold[c] refined seven times.
7. You, LORD, will keep the needy safe and will protect us forever from the wicked,
8 who freely strut about when what is vile is honored by the human race.
A Psalm of tamkitam, A call for God to protect the weak from the wicked Forces.
1. Relief, Khanbushi, for no one is keeping the words of their mouth; there are no clans that honor their word with their life.
2. All people hid the truth from their next door; they praise with their mouths but their hearts are hardened with dishonesty.
3. May Khanbushi deal with all the hardened heart and untrustworthy mouths –
4. They will say,
“By our mouths we will succeed; the words of our mouths will protect us- who is Khanbushi from above?”
5. “Because the destitute are ill-treated and the deprived moan,
I will now come,” says Khanbushi. “I will shield them from those who make profit out of them.”
6. And the words of Khanbushi are perfect, like an arrow of skillful archery, like an arrowhead made with the best iron.
7. You, Khanbushi, will guard the destitute and at all times you will defend us from the evildoers,
8. who openly exercising injustice when the greedy are in power.
A Psalm of tamkitam, A call for God to protect the weak from the wicked Forces and a call to God’s people to trust in the LORD.
This psalm is written in the context of tribal people particularly for the “Kcho” in Myanmar. However, the whole Psalm is a reflection of the way the society operate in today's world. We can see dishonesty in politic, business, media, even in ministry for the sake of survival and space for fame and gain. But the Lord knows and the Lord will bring justice no matter how much we ignor God from our world.
Khanbushi: Heavenly God
1. Relief, Khanbushi, for no one is keeping the words of their mouth; there are no clans that honor their word with their life.
Keeping their word is crucial and those who keep their words are highly regarded in the society. In doing business there is no written contract or agreement between two partners in this particular setting. Therefore, dishonest people often cheat others in their business or even in day to day life. As a result, honesty can bring failure in dealing with others and it push believers into difficult situation where there is no much choice for their survival. Therefore a psalmist is calling God’s intervention and at the same time calling God’s people to trust in God.
2. All people hid the truth form their next door; they praise with their mouths but their hearts are hardened with dishonesty.
People usually hid the truth from their neighbors. It is good to hide the reality of the cost so that they can make more profit. They use nice and warm greeting and promises but their hearts are hardened with dishonesty. They always looking for opportunities to cheat on others.
3. May Khanbushi deal with all the hardened heart and untrustworthy mouths –
4. They will say,
“By our mouths we will succeed; the words of our mouth will protect us- who is Khanbushi from above?”
Although they may successfully cheat and hid the truth by twisting and turning their words but the psalmist believe that God knows the truth. The psalmist believes that God will also deal with them according to their deeds when the time comes.
5. “Because the destitute are ill-treated and deprived moan,
I will now come,” says Khanbushi. “I will shield them from those who make profit out of them.”
God assured the psalmist’s conviction of justice and faith. It is to put more weight on his prayer; the psalmist put God in his shoes. It shows that not only the psalmist sees the injustice but God is responding to the situation by giving promise that he will shield them.
6. And the words of Khanbushi are perfect, like an arrow of skillful archery, like an arrowhead made with the best iron.
7. You, Khanbushi, will guard the destitute harmless and at all times you will defend us from the evildoers,
8. who openly exercising injustice when the greedy are in power.
The psalmist respond to God’s promise and he said unlike those untrustworthy people God’s word is trust worthy. The psalmist believes that God honor and does what He promised. God’s words are alive and effective. In verses 6 and 7 the psalmist repeats the promise of God in verse 5. The psalmist expresses his faith in God by repeating God’s promise. Just as the presence of evil doers is real the protection of God is also real to the psalmist.
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