Psalms 12 is a lament Psalm. There are over 60 lament Psalms and most of them are structured in the same way. Psalm 12 is a corporate lament Psalms. These Psalms help a people express their struggle, suffering, or disappointment to Yahweh. The lament Psalms also shows a deep trust in God in the midst of the pain. These are Psalms we read when life gets hard and does not go the way we think. These are Psalms we can read when we experience pain and need assurance in the God who is in control. Psalms 12 has a structure that helps us express our hearts to God and at the same time find the assurance we need. Here is the structure for Psalms 12 and many of the other lament Psalms.
Address: Verse 1a The Psalmist identify the one to whom the psalm is sung and prayed. “Help Lord”
Complaint: Verses 1b-2, 8 The psalmist pours out a complaint honestly and forcefully, identifying what the trouble is and why the Lord’s help is being sought.
Deliverance: Verses 3-4 The psalmist cries out to God for deliverance from the situation described in the complaint.
Assurance: Verse 5 The psalmist expresses the assurance that God will deliver. This assurance is somewhat parallel to the trust part of the Psalm also.
Trust: Verse 6 The psalmist expresses his trust in God, which shows why he can bring his complaint to God and know and be assured that deliverance is coming.
Praise: Verse 7 The psalmist offers praise, thanking and honoring God for the blessings of the past, present, and/or future.
This is the structure of Psalm 12. This is a similar structure to many of the individual and corporate lament Psalms. Understanding and keeping this in mind helps us better see the truth in the Scripture and see a more beautiful picture of a God who helps us in any and every situation. These lament give us an assurance, like Psalm 12, in the fact that God will save us and protect us even when it seems like all is lost.
Address: Verse 1a The Psalmist identify the one to whom the psalm is sung and prayed. “Help Lord”
Complaint: Verses 1b-2, 8 The psalmist pours out a complaint honestly and forcefully, identifying what the trouble is and why the Lord’s help is being sought.
Deliverance: Verses 3-4 The psalmist cries out to God for deliverance from the situation described in the complaint.
Assurance: Verse 5 The psalmist expresses the assurance that God will deliver. This assurance is somewhat parallel to the trust part of the Psalm also.
Trust: Verse 6 The psalmist expresses his trust in God, which shows why he can bring his complaint to God and know and be assured that deliverance is coming.
Praise: Verse 7 The psalmist offers praise, thanking and honoring God for the blessings of the past, present, and/or future.
This is the structure of Psalm 12. This is a similar structure to many of the individual and corporate lament Psalms. Understanding and keeping this in mind helps us better see the truth in the Scripture and see a more beautiful picture of a God who helps us in any and every situation. These lament give us an assurance, like Psalm 12, in the fact that God will save us and protect us even when it seems like all is lost.
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