Social Reformation by Spiritual Transformation - Psalms 12-14

 Psalms 12:1-4 (ESV)

The Faithful Have Vanished

TO THE CHOIRMASTER: ACCORDING TO THE SHEMINITH. A PSALM OF DAVID.

Save, O LORD, for the godly one is gone;

for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man.

Everyone utters lies to his neighbor;

with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.

May the LORD cut off all flattering lips,

the tongue that makes great boasts,

those who say, “With our tongue we will prevail,

our lips are with us; who is master over us?”

In the opening four verses of chapter 12, we read David’s commentary on what he is seeing in his world.   He sees that his society is falling apart.   He sees that truth has alluded the world around him and deteriorated into self-deception (believing they are something they are not and the deception of others.    He will add this thought in chapter 14 with these words:

Psalms 14:1-3 (ESV)

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”

They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds;

there is none who does good.

The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man,

to see if there are any who understand,

who seek after God.

They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt;

there is none who does good,

not even one.

David is looking at those he interacts with and sees a world full of deception of self and others and denial of God.  They are full of corruption.  At this point we might have to stop and ask if David is talking about his society, at the time of this writing, or is he talking about our society, at the time of this reading.   This is David’s world.   This is our world.   David is writing a poem, a song, to express the evilness of man, as opposed to the righteousness of God.   Note how he closes these two songs:

Psalms 13:5-6 (ESV)

But I have trusted in your steadfast love;

my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.

I will sing to the LORD,

because he has dealt bountifully with me.

Psalms 14:7 (ESV)

Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!

When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people,

let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

David sees that their is no hope in reforming his society, without his society first reforming their view point of God and His power.   Today we can pass legislation and we can promote leaders who talk about the right things.  But, it is the transformation of the heart to recognize the power and purpose of God that will change our society.  That was David’s solution then and that should be our solution now.   Social reformation is only possible by spiritual transformation.