Psalm 12 is another of David’s Psalms steeped in his strong sense of justice. This one sets up liars in contrast to the words of God. God’s words are described as pure and valuable.

David has no time for those he considers to be deceitful, boastful liars, but he takes it to a place that makes me feel ill. In verse 3 the NIV softens the blow with “May the Lord silence all flattering lips and every boastful tongue…” but most other translations head towards what must be a more literal translation and give us David’s request to cut off their lips and tongue.

I’ve got to admit, in the passage there is a great piece about God rising up for the poor and as such writing does again and again and again, it affirms the centrality of justice and God’s heart for the poor and therefore the focus we should have in that area… but I really struggle with David’s desire for the facial mutilation of those he clearly despises.

Now, I know I’m looking at it through a 21st century lens and I know and am convinced by the sound case that says just because David desires it doesn’t mean God condones it – David is expressing something in the heat of emotion. But it’s still there and my association with the sort of actions David is calling out for, even if only metaphorically because he wants to stop people from lying, are places like Uganda and Afghanistan where the weak have been subjected to the brutality of facial mutilation and had their lives destroyed by it. With TEAR Fund I’ve been a part of helping to run campaigns raising money and awareness to fund the surgery needed to reconstruct people’s faces.

That’s my lens for reading this Psalm so it disturbs me to the point where I’m shaking a little just thinking about it and to be honest I don’t want to get myself to a place where I read it and am ok with it. My sense of justice and the example of the cross demands that I approach the world in a way where such things should disturb me to the core. With the words, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you coming from Jesus in Matthew 5:44 I can’t give into any desire for brutality to be committed against even those I consider to be perpetrating injustices.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Read more of my reflections on the Psalms.

Here’s why I’m walking this journey through the Psalms.

Image from The Independent