You Are Not the Only One

1 (To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David.) Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.

Definition of Sheminith eight; octave, a musical term, supposed to denote the lowest note sung by men’s voices. David cries out for help because he perceives that the “godly man” no longer exists.  Does this not sounds like what is happening today? Remember what Timothy stated? 2 Timothy 3:1-5 ” This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” When the preponderance of evidence in society shows that evil reigns, and reigns supreme, we may think that God has forgotten his people or that they are few and far between. But he always has a remnant in every area so that His people can be encouraged.

2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.

Within the last three or four years, there hasn’t been a single day when deceptive speech has not permeated the news and or social media. Scripture tells us not to lie against our neighbor.  We are also reminded that our neighbor is EVERYONE on this planet. Deuteronomy 5:20 states “Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour.”  When one speaks with “flattering lips and double heart” they are  basically speaking lies. Telling people what we think they want to hear to gain popularity is the biggest “con-game” ever. Be truthful with a person. Don’t flatter them! If they are committing a sin, approach the subject and let them know.  Don’t sugar coat the sin in order to keep them on your “right side” so to speak.

3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:

Scripture talks to us about the dangers of the tongue. James 1:26 “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion [is] vain.” The first sign of a mature Christian is how they use their tongue! What happens when they are angry? Do they spew out words of hatred towards others? Now that we have social media it is tough for an individual to hide who they are at the core of their being. When one posts a dissertation about how they feel about their family members, their church, people who have hurt them etc., even if the post is deleted the contents are now imprinted on the minds of the reader or the hearer. A tongue that wags uncontrollably is a dangerous thing. It is not under the control of the Holy Spirit. James 3:5  explains “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!” What our mouth speaks and whose we say we are must match up. When they don’t then we are being hypocritical! We cannot preach about love and then want to be ugly to people who are different. Children who are different experience this every day in many countries. Dictators make them their prey. People who act or look different are emotionally attacked by psychological predators. We are our brothers’ keeper! We are to demonstrate who God is by loving others even when they don’t love us.

4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?

When I read this verse, I smiled. I actually heard someone voice these exact words six years ago.  Actually, they stated, “I am the XXXX I can say and do what I want to and no one can do anything about it!” The person has not changed. Their mouth, or fingers, are theirs to say and type whatever they want to into social media. “I will not be gagged!”  Seriously? If my words continually hurt others then I am not being Jesus to others. On the other hand, people who use their tongues to slander other people set them up to fail.  When we have the attitude that our words can be used to damage a person’s name, character, their profession of faith, integrity then we have fallen prey to exactly what the psalter is saying in this verse.

Our lips are not our own. Our minds and mouths are NOT allowed to “lord” it over the lives of others.  I have seen people’s reputations destroyed because of gossip. Let’s look at what Isaiah says about lips. Isaiah 6:5-7 “Then said I, Woe [is] me! for I am undone; because I [am] a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.” “Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, [which] he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:” “And he laid [it] upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.”

When we slander a person’s name, our lips are unclean. We need the purifying power of the Holy Spirit to purge our thoughts hearts, and minds so our tongue can speak the truth. Our ears will listen to nothing but the truth, and our hearts will not participate in anything that is not from the truth. We must remember that..

5 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.

Now the Lord acts on behalf of the poor and the needy. Just look at the statement. “I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.” Words were being said, and actions were being taken against the poor and needy. Now God has determined that He is going to act! Have you ever watched the Hulk? Well, that is what is about to happen to these people. Psalms 3:7; 7:6; 9:19; 10:12 these psalms indicate that when God arises to vindicate His people, he does so as the “Warrior King!”

6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation forever.

Titus 1:2 “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;”  Whereas words are hurtful and will cause emotional damage, they cannot cause eternal damage. So, although the vehement accusations may be false-they cannot take away eternal life from the child of God. Although the low expectations of others may permeate society-they cannot strip you of the title “Child of God!” Although the worse may be expected of you because of the gossip that has run rampant throughout your community or the community of believers, you are still precious in His sight. Eternally precious in His sight. We can always find the toothpick that is in our brother’s eye but we cannot remove it because of the two by four that is blocking our own sight. Just remember that “. . he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth” (2 Corinthians 10:17-18). Your hope is in the Lord your God! Not in man!

8 The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.

I had to remind myself of this the other day as tears fell down my face. We live in a fallen world among fallen men. It is always the “vilest men” who are “exalted.”  They know exactly what to say and what to do to engender the praise and accolades of others. It is the person who is distant and unassuming who falls prey to these persons. BUT GOD. He sees and knows all. Remember friends that this lament details the oppression of men against each other. But it also exalts the power, might, majesty and hope that comes from knowing the Lord.

https://youtu.be/anVweXDcxhA