Save, O LORD, for the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man. Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.
English Standard Version (ESV)
David isn't just lamenting the absence of godly people; he's describing a world where faithfulness itself seems to have vanished from among humanity, a profound loss of trust and integrity that leaves him desperate for divine intervention.
Save, O LORD, for the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man. Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm opens with a desperate cry for divine intervention, as the Psalmist observes a profound absence of righteous and trustworthy people. It's a lament that righteous individuals are disappearing, and those who were once known for their integrity have vanished from among humanity. This context sets the stage for the following verses, where the Psalmist will detail the pervasive deceit and flattery that have seemingly replaced faithfulness in society.
Have you ever felt like the world is losing its way, and genuine goodness is becoming harder to find? This psalm opens with a cry echoing that very feeling.
David begins with a desperate plea: "Save, O LORD, for the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man."
What Does 'Ceaseth' and 'Fail' Mean Here?
This isn't just about people dying. The Hebrew words suggest a more profound absence.
A Community in Crisis
David isn't just mourning individuals; he's lamenting a societal decay. The 'godly' (or 'merciful') and 'faithful' are disappearing, not necessarily from life, but from their effective presence and influence in the community. This makes the world feel unsafe and corrupt, prompting the cry for divine intervention.
When everyone around you seems to be speaking with a hidden agenda, where do you turn for truth and safety?
Ask a follow-up
The immediate context following David's lament reveals why the godly and faithful seem to have vanished: the pervasive nature of deceit and flattery among people.
The Tools of Deception
Verse 2 (though not explicitly in our focus verse) is key to understanding the atmosphere: 'Every one speaketh deceit with his neighbor; with flattering lips and with a double heart they speak.'
Why This Leads to a Plea
In such an environment, the presence of the genuinely godly and faithful is not just rare, but desperately needed. When truth is scarce and deceit is common, the only reliable refuge and source of help is God Himself. David’s cry isn't just a wish; it’s a recognition that human systems and relationships have failed, making divine intervention essential.
Understand the original words
hôshî‘âh · Hebrew Verb
A petition for divine intervention, rescue, or deliverance from danger, distress, or judgment. It acknowledges God as the only source of ultimate salvation.
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God revealed to Israel, emphasizing His self-existence, faithfulness, and eternal nature.
châsîd · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
One who is marked by covenant loyalty, kindness, and devotion to God; often associated with those who experience God’s loyal love (hesed).
’ĕmûnîm · Hebrew Noun
Those who are reliable, trustworthy, and firm in their adherence to God's truth and covenant commitments.
shâv’ · Hebrew Noun
Falsehoods or deceptive speech; speech that is contrary to God’s nature of truth, often used to mislead or manipulate others.
sâphâh châlâqôt · Hebrew Noun Phrase
Speech intended to praise someone insincerely to gain an advantage or manipulate, lacking integrity or genuine love.
lêv vâlêv · Hebrew Noun Phrase
Refers to duplicity, insincerity, or a divided mind; lacking moral unity or honesty before God and others.
This psalm captures a desperate cry during a time when loyalty and righteousness seemed to evaporate. It reminds us that even in periods of immense corruption and political turmoil, God hears the prayers of those who seek Him and remain faithful.
c. 1030-1015 BC— this verse
Saul's Reign and Persecution of David
King Saul's reign was marked by increasing paranoia and a bitter persecution of David, his most capable warrior. This created an atmosphere of fear and instability, where loyalty was questioned and wickedness could flourish.
c. 1020 BC
David Flees Saul's Court
David, fearing for his life, flees from Saul and lives as a fugitive. This period would have exposed him to the corrupting influences and the lack of true faithfulness among those around him.
c. 1015 BC
David Becomes King of Judah
After Saul's death, David is anointed king over the tribe of Judah. While a step towards stability, the kingdom remains divided and his rule is not yet universally recognized.
c. 1005 BC
David Becomes King of All Israel
David finally unites all the tribes of Israel under his rule, establishing Jerusalem as his capital. This marks a period of greater national strength but also the ongoing challenge of maintaining righteousness amidst power.
This passage echoes the lament of Psalm 12:1, highlighting a similar despair over the disappearance of righteous and faithful individuals in society.
Isaiah 59:14-15This prophetic passage describes a world where truth has stumbled in the streets and righteousness is kept far away, mirroring the sense of societal decay and faithfulness vanishing found in Psalm 12:1.
Jeremiah 9:3-5Similar to Psalm 12:1, Jeremiah cries out against the deceit and falsehood prevalent among the people, noting that 'faithful' and 'truth' have vanished from their speech and actions.
Romans 1:28-32This New Testament passage details a society given over to all sorts of unrighteousness, including deceit and malice, which corresponds to the breakdown of faithfulness and godliness described in Psalm 12:1.
calvinPsalms 12:1-2: "<> Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men."
- Save me, O Jehovah; for the merciful man hath failed, and the faithful are wasted away from among the children of men, 2. Every one speaketh deceit [or falsehood] with his neighbor; they speak with lips of flattery, with a double heart. [254]
To the chief musician upon the eighth. With respect to the word eighth, there are two opinions among interpreters. According to some, it me…
clarkePsalms 12:1: "To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David. Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men."
Help, Lord - Save me, O Lord; for merciful men fail, and faithful men have passed away from the sons of Adam. Make safe me, Lord; for haly failed, for lessed es sothfastnes fra sons of men. Old MS.
David isn't just lamenting the absence of godly people; he's describing a world where faithfulness itself seems to have vanished from among humanity, a profound loss of trust and integrity that leaves him desperate for divine intervention.
This psalm opens with a desperate cry for divine intervention, as the Psalmist observes a profound absence of righteous and trustworthy people. It's a lament that righteous individuals are disappearing, and those who were once known for their integrity have vanished from among humanity. This context sets the stage for the following verses, where the Psalmist will detail the pervasive deceit and flattery that have seemingly replaced faithfulness in society.
This psalm opens with a desperate cry for divine intervention, as the Psalmist observes a profound absence of righteous and trustworthy people. It's a lament that righteous individuals are disappearing, and those who were once known for their integrity have vanished from among humanity. This context sets the stage for the following verses, where the Psalmist will detail the pervasive deceit and flattery that have seemingly replaced faithfulness in society.
"Save, O LORD, for the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man. Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak." — David isn't just lamenting the absence of godly people; he's describing a world where faithfulness itself seems to have vanished from among humanity, a profound loss of trust and integrity that lea…
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Last reviewed October 2026