PSALM 12

Psalm 12:6-7 (ESV)

The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times. [7] You, O Lord, will keep them; you will guard us from this generation forever.

How different are the words of God from the words of man. Look at how the words of man are described: lies, flattery, idle, double-hearted, proud, boastful, and blasphemous. In contrast the words of the Lord are described as “pure words.” They are “purified seven times” seemly indicating absolute purity.

The purity of the words of the Lord mean that they are trustworthy and of high value. So, whatever the Lord has to say to us we know there is no chance of it misleading us. This can not be said for the words of man. The Word of God is often described as the only rule of faith and practice. This means that is speaks to us without error regarding all matters, both what we are to believe and what we are to do.

We ought to desire both. We need sound doctrine. How can we rightly obey, love, serve, and honor God if we do not know Him in His revealed beauty and worth. Doctrine motivates, encourages, strengthens, and balances. Doctrine is practical. Application and practice are important because otherwise doctrine becomes simple head knowledge never affecting the heart. Let us long to know the full counsel of God and not just what we want to here. Let us learn to the love the beauty of sound doctrine and sound practice.

Let us also learn from this Psalm to guard carefully our own words. As those who bear the name of Christ, and are sons and daughters of the Living God, we must seek to have our words be of the same purity as the Lord’s. We know that this is an impossible task. But by the grace of God and the work of the Spirit, it must be pursued. Our words do not bear testimony about ourselves, but about the God whom we serve.

Prayer points: (1) That we would love and cherish the pure word of God. (2) That we love pure doctrine and pure practice. (3) That we would guard our words, using them wisely and for God’s glory.