PSALM 12:1–8 Endangered Species
READ: PSALM 12:1–8 (1 KINGS 19:9–18) V. 1 “The faithful have vanished.”
In Canada, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada meets regularly to discuss and evaluate the status of Canadian wildlife species. Recently this committee reported that there are more than sixty endangered species, among them Ord’s Kangaroo Rat, Harris’s Sparrow, and some populations of Lake Sturgeon. These animals are becoming rare and are in danger of extinction if things continue as they are. One factor mentioned of late is climate change.
In Psalm 12:1, David laments that the godly, the faithful in Israel, seem to have become an endangered species. He prays, “Save, O LORD, for the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished from among the children of men.” Apparently there used to be more godly people around, but many seem to have disappeared. One factor was evidently spiritual climate change. Many people’s love for the LORD had apparently grown cold and it showed in their words. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, as the Lord Jesus said (Matt. 12:34). There was less and less truth in what people said and more and more falsehood and flattery. Sadly, to speak and act deceitfully became the thing to do.
David felt alone, like the prophet Elijah at a time of great deformation and falsehood in Israel. Elijah said, “I, even I only, am left” (1 Kings 19:10). David likewise figured that the godly had become an endangered species—almost extinct. Most people in Israel had begun to believe all the lies and to speak positively about sin. Eventually they came to exalt vileness (v. 8).
What to do when there is deformation like that in the church? What to do when people who used to agree with what the Bible plainly says now promote unbiblical theories and practices with smooth and arrogant words? David doesn’t crawl into a cave. Instead, he calls on God to save his people, to lead them into safety.
And he points people to the pure words of God. He does so in trust that the LORD will guard his own. For the sake of his Anointed One, God will make sure that his church doesn’t become extinct. For Christ is a king who cannot be without subjects (Belgic Confession, Art. 27) and when the time is right, he will arise and place all his people in safety (v. 5).
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