Psalm 12 6

Psalm 12:6 kjv

The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

Psalm 12:6 nkjv

The words of the LORD are pure words, Like silver tried in a furnace of earth, Purified seven times.

Psalm 12:6 niv

And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times.

Psalm 12:6 esv

The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.

Psalm 12:6 nlt

The LORD's promises are pure,
like silver refined in a furnace,
purified seven times over.

Psalm 12 verses

Psalm 12 6 Meaning

Psalm 12:6 declares the absolute purity, truthfulness, and perfection of God's divine pronouncements, commands, and promises. It contrasts these flawless words with the pervasive deceit and unreliability of human speech described earlier in the psalm. The verse employs a powerful metaphor, likening God's words to silver that has undergone an exhaustive and perfect refining process, removing every impurity and ensuring its highest integrity and trustworthiness.

Psalm 12 6 Context

Psalm 12 is a heartfelt lament of David amidst a period marked by profound social and moral decay. The psalm opens with a cry for help as loyal and godly people have vanished, leaving only a populace whose speech is riddled with "vanity," "flattering lips," and a "double heart" (Ps 12:1-2). They speak boastfully of their power through words, asserting that "our lips are our own: who is lord over us?" (Ps 12:4). This environment describes a pervasive culture of falsehood, where trust in human communication has eroded, and pride in deception reigns. In sharp contrast to this unreliable human discourse, Psalm 12:6 serves as a divine answer and reassurance. It asserts that amidst such human treachery, God's words remain utterly pure and trustworthy, providing an unshakeable foundation for believers and revealing the true nature of God in opposition to the world's falsehoods.

Psalm 12 6 Word analysis

• The words of the Lord:
  • Hebrew: אִמְרֹ֣ות יְהֹוָה (ʾimrot Yehovah).
  • ʾimrot refers to divine sayings, pronouncements, and promises.
  • It distinguishes God's utterances from the deceitful human words highlighted earlier in Psalm 12, establishing a dichotomy between divine truth and human falsehood. These are not merely statements but binding, authoritative declarations.
• are pure words:
  • Hebrew: טְהֹרֹ֥ות (ṭəhôrōt).
  • Ṭāhôr means clean, pure, unblemished, free from defilement or error, ethically blameless.
  • This indicates the inherent and absolute perfection of God's speech, free from any alloy of falsehood, error, or imperfection.
• as silver tried:
  • Hebrew: כֶּסֶף מְזֻקָּק (keseph məzuqqāq).
  • Keseph means silver. Məzuqqāq (from zaqaq) means refined, purified, tried, or tested.
  • This introduces a vivid analogy comparing God's words to silver that has undergone a process of intense purification, emphasizing their tested and proven nature.
• in a furnace of earth:
  • Hebrew: עֲלִ֤יל אָרֶץ (ʿălil ʾāreṣ).
  • ʿĂlil refers to a crucible, a refining pot, or furnace, often made of clay. ʾAreṣ means earth or ground.
  • This phrase highlights the intense heat and thoroughness of the refining process. A "furnace of earth" may imply a simple but highly effective crucible that withstands intense heat, emphasizing the rigorous conditions under which impurities are removed, yielding the purest metal.
• purified seven times:
  • Hebrew: מְזֻקָּ֥ק שִׁבְעָתָֽיִם (məzuqqāq shibʿātāyim).
  • Məzuqqāq again means purified/refined. Shibʿātāyim is an intensive form of "seven times," denoting completion, perfection, or abundance.
  • This signifies not merely purification, but a comprehensive and ultimate purification, emphasizing that God's words are perfectly refined to the highest degree imaginable, flawless in every aspect and without any trace of impurity.
• Words-group Analysis:
  • "The words of the Lord are pure words": This fundamental assertion sets God's communication apart from human words. It establishes His inherent truthfulness and the incorruptible nature of all He declares.
  • "as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times": This powerful simile fully illustrates the degree of purity of God's words. It is not merely pure, but absolutely and comprehensively pure, having endured the severest tests and come out flawlessly. This imagery assures believers that God's every word has been proven and is perfectly trustworthy.

Psalm 12 6 Bonus section

The perfection described in Psalm 12:6 implies that God's words are not merely true, but effective; they accomplish their intended purpose perfectly (Isa 55:11). The concept of 'pure' also carries a connotation of holiness, indicating that God's words reflect His own holy nature, undefiled by sin or imperfection. This absolute trustworthiness of God's word is the foundation for all divine promises and covenants, forming the basis of faith itself. It underscores that what God says, He does, and what He reveals is wholly true.

Psalm 12 6 Commentary

Psalm 12:6 delivers a profound declaration of the divine attribute of truth, central to the character of God. In a world saturated with deceit and moral compromise, the psalmist anchors his hope in God's unerring word. The meticulous refining process described for silver — tried "in a furnace of earth" and "purified seven times" — vividly communicates the absolute perfection and enduring reliability of every divine utterance. Just as pure silver is unalloyed and retains its value, so God's words are free from error, deceit, or flattery. They stand the test of time, scrutiny, and changing circumstances. This verse provides immense comfort and certainty for believers, reminding them that while human promises may falter and human speech may corrupt, God's perfect word remains a steadfast and pure guide, a source of unwavering truth and unchanging fidelity for all generations.