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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 12:8 The wicked wander freely, and vileness is exalted among men.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/12-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/19_Psa_012_008.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 12:8 - The Godly are No More" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The wicked wander freely, and vileness is exalted among men." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/12-7.htm" title="Psalm 12:7">◄</a> Psalm 12:8 <a href="/psalms/13-1.htm" title="Psalm 13:1">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/12.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/12.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />who freely strut about when what is vile is honored by the human race.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />even though the wicked strut about, and evil is praised throughout the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the children of man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The wicked wander freely, and vileness is exalted among men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The wicked prowl on every side, When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The wicked strut about on every side When vileness is exalted among the sons of mankind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The wicked strut about on every side When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />The wicked strut about on every side, When vileness is exalted among the sons of men. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The wicked strut about on every side When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The wicked strut about [in pompous self-importance] on every side, As vileness is exalted <i>and</i> baseness is prized among the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The wicked prowl all around, and what is worthless is exalted by the human race.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The wicked wander everywhere, and what is worthless is exalted by the human race. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The wicked walk on every side, When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But all who are wicked will keep on strutting, while everyone praises their shameless deeds. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The wicked walk on every side, when vileness is exalted among the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Wicked people parade around when immorality increases among Adam's descendants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The wicked, however, keep walking around, exalting the vileness of human beings. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The wicked wander freely, and vileness is exalted among men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />for the wicked seem to be everywhere, when people promote evil. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The wicked walk on every side, when what is vile is exalted among the descendants of Adam.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The wicked walk on every side, when what is vile is exalted among the sons of men. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />The wicked walk around continually, "" According as vileness is exalted by sons of men!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Around the wicked walk continually, According as vileness is exalted by sons of men!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The unjust shall walk round about as the rising of a tempest to the sons of man.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The wicked walk round about: according to thy highness, thou best multiplied the children of men. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 11:9>The impious wander aimlessly. According to your loftiness, you have multiplied the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />On every side the wicked roam; the shameless are extolled by the children of men. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among humankind.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For the wicked walk everywhere with contemptible pride like the children of Edom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The wicked go around and walk according to the contemptible pride of the sons of Edom. <div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The wicked walk on every side, When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />The ungodly walk around: according to thy greatness thou has greatly exalted the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/12-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=1088" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/12.htm">The Godly are No More</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>You, O LORD, will keep us; You will forever guard us from this generation. <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7563.htm" title="7563: rə·šā·‘îm (Adj-mp) -- Wicked, criminal. From rasha'; morally wrong; concretely, an bad person.">The wicked</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: yiṯ·hal·lā·ḵūn (V-Hitpael-Imperf-3mp:: Pn) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">wander</a> <a href="/hebrew/5439.htm" title="5439: sā·ḇîḇ (Adv) -- Circuit, round about. Or cbiybah; from cabab; a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly around.">freely,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2149.htm" title="2149: zul·lūṯ (N-fs) -- Worthlessness. From zalal; properly, a shaking, i.e. Perhaps a tempest.">and vileness</a> <a href="/hebrew/7311.htm" title="7311: kə·rum (Prep-k:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To be high or exalted, rise. A primitive root; to be high actively, to rise or raise.">is exalted</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: liḇ·nê (Prep-l:: N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">among</a> <a href="/hebrew/120.htm" title="120: ’ā·ḏām (N-ms) -- Man, mankind. From 'adam; ruddy i.e. A human being.">men.</a> </span><div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/29-2.htm">Proverbs 29:2</a></span><br />When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/5-20.htm">Isaiah 5:20</a></span><br />Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/7-3.htm">Micah 7:3-4</a></span><br />Both hands are skilled at evil; the prince and the judge demand a bribe. When the powerful utters his evil desire, they all conspire together. / The best of them is like a brier; the most upright is sharper than a hedge of thorns. The day for your watchmen has come, the day of your visitation. Now is the time of their confusion.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/5-26.htm">Jeremiah 5:26-28</a></span><br />For among My people are wicked men; they watch like fowlers lying in wait; they set a trap to catch men. / Like cages full of birds, so their houses are full of deceit. Therefore they have become powerful and rich. / They have grown fat and sleek, and have excelled in the deeds of the wicked. They have not taken up the cause of the fatherless, that they might prosper; nor have they defended the rights of the needy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/habakkuk/1-4.htm">Habakkuk 1:4</a></span><br />Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/28-12.htm">Proverbs 28:12</a></span><br />When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/59-14.htm">Isaiah 59:14-15</a></span><br />So justice is turned away, and righteousness stands at a distance. For truth has stumbled in the public square, and honesty cannot enter. / Truth is missing, and whoever turns from evil becomes prey. The LORD looked and was displeased that there was no justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/24-2.htm">Job 24:2-4</a></span><br />Men move boundary stones; they pasture stolen flocks. / They drive away the donkey of the fatherless and take the widow’s ox in pledge. / They push the needy off the road and force all the poor of the land into hiding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/5-12.htm">Amos 5:12-13</a></span><br />For I know that your transgressions are many and your sins are numerous. You oppress the righteous by taking bribes; you deprive the poor of justice in the gate. / Therefore, the prudent keep silent in such times, for the days are evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/28-28.htm">Proverbs 28:28</a></span><br />When the wicked come to power, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous flourish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-12.htm">Matthew 24:12</a></span><br />Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/3-1.htm">2 Timothy 3:1-5</a></span><br />But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come. / For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, / unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-28.htm">Romans 1:28-32</a></span><br />Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. / They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, / slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/2-18.htm">2 Peter 2:18-19</a></span><br />With lofty but empty words, they appeal to the sensual passions of the flesh and entice those who are just escaping from others who live in error. / They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves to depravity. For a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/5-19.htm">1 John 5:19</a></span><br />We know that we are of God, and that the whole world is under the power of the evil one.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.</p><p class="hdg">wicked</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/29-12.htm">Proverbs 29:12</a></b></br> If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants <i>are</i> wicked.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hosea/5-11.htm">Hosea 5:11</a></b></br> Ephraim <i>is</i> oppressed <i>and</i> broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/micah/6-16.htm">Micah 6:16</a></b></br> For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab, and ye walk in their counsels; that I should make thee a desolation, and the inhabitants thereof an hissing: therefore ye shall bear the reproach of my people.</p><p class="hdg">when</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/9-18.htm">Judges 9:18</a></b></br> And ye are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he <i>is</i> your brother;)</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/18-17.htm">1 Samuel 18:17,18</a></b></br> And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD'S battles. For Saul said, Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/esther/3-6.htm">Esther 3:6</a></b></br> And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that <i>were</i> throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, <i>even</i> the people of Mordecai.</p><p class="hdg">men.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/30-8.htm">Job 30:8</a></b></br> <i>They were</i> children of fools, yea, children of base men: they were viler than the earth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/daniel/11-21.htm">Daniel 11:21</a></b></br> And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/12-1.htm">Chief</a> <a href="/job/7-4.htm">Continually</a> <a href="/psalms/12-1.htm">David</a> <a href="/psalms/10-15.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/job/37-23.htm">Exalted</a> <a href="/job/34-7.htm">Freely</a> <a href="/job/22-8.htm">Honored</a> <a href="/job/22-8.htm">Honoured</a> <a href="/psalms/12-1.htm">Musician</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-18.htm">Prowl</a> <a href="/psalms/12-1.htm">Psalm</a> <a href="/psalms/3-6.htm">Side</a> <a href="/psalms/9-17.htm">Sinners</a> <a href="/job/40-4.htm">Vile</a> <a href="/micah/6-14.htm">Vileness</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-27.htm">Vilest</a> <a href="/psalms/1-1.htm">Walk</a> <a href="/job/38-16.htm">Walking</a> <a href="/psalms/11-6.htm">Wicked</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/13-1.htm">Chief</a> <a href="/psalms/16-8.htm">Continually</a> <a href="/psalms/13-1.htm">David</a> <a href="/psalms/14-4.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/psalms/13-2.htm">Exalted</a> <a href="/psalms/37-26.htm">Freely</a> <a href="/psalms/45-9.htm">Honored</a> <a href="/psalms/18-46.htm">Honoured</a> <a href="/psalms/13-1.htm">Musician</a> <a href="/psalms/55-10.htm">Prowl</a> <a href="/psalms/13-1.htm">Psalm</a> <a href="/psalms/31-13.htm">Side</a> <a href="/psalms/25-8.htm">Sinners</a> <a href="/psalms/14-1.htm">Vile</a> <a href="/micah/6-14.htm">Vileness</a> <a href="/isaiah/36-12.htm">Vilest</a> <a href="/psalms/15-2.htm">Walk</a> <a href="/psalms/15-2.htm">Walking</a> <a href="/psalms/17-9.htm">Wicked</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 12</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/12-1.htm">David, destitute of human comfort, craves help of God</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/12-3.htm">He comforts himself with God's promises, and his judgments on the wicked</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The wicked wander freely</b><br>This phrase highlights the prevalence of wickedness in society, suggesting a time when moral boundaries are disregarded. In biblical context, this reflects periods in Israel's history when the people turned away from God's laws, such as during the time of the Judges when "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (<a href="/judges/21-25.htm">Judges 21:25</a>). The wandering of the wicked can also be seen as a metaphor for spiritual aimlessness and rebellion against divine order. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of the struggle between righteousness and wickedness, as seen in the lives of figures like King Saul, who strayed from God's commands.<p><b>and vileness is exalted among men.</b><br>This phrase indicates a societal inversion of values, where what is morally corrupt is celebrated. Historically, this can be linked to periods of moral decline in Israel, such as during the reigns of kings who led the nation into idolatry and immorality, like Ahab and Manasseh. The exaltation of vileness is a recurring theme in prophetic literature, where prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah condemned the people for calling evil good and good evil (<a href="/isaiah/5-20.htm">Isaiah 5:20</a>). This also foreshadows the New Testament warnings about the end times, where Paul describes people as "lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive" (<a href="/2_timothy/3-2.htm">2 Timothy 3:2</a>). The exaltation of vileness contrasts with the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, who exemplified and taught the values of the Kingdom of God, calling His followers to be salt and light in a corrupt world (<a href="/matthew/5-13.htm">Matthew 5:13-16</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>- Traditionally attributed as the author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/12.htm">Psalm 12</a>, David was the second king of Israel and a man after God's own heart. He often wrote psalms expressing his struggles and faith in God amidst a corrupt society.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wicked.htm">The Wicked</a></b><br>- This refers to those who live in opposition to God's laws and righteousness. In the context of <a href="/bsb/psalms/12.htm">Psalm 12</a>, they are those who speak deceitfully and act unjustly.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_righteous.htm">The Righteous</a></b><br>- Although not directly mentioned in this verse, the righteous are implied as those who suffer under the exaltation of vileness and wickedness.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>- The nation of Israel, where David reigned as king, often faced internal and external threats from wickedness and corruption.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>- The ultimate judge and protector of the righteous, who is called upon by David to intervene against the wicked.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_wickedness.htm">The Reality of Wickedness</a></b><br>The presence of wickedness in society is a reality that believers must acknowledge. It is important to recognize the influence of sin and its impact on the world around us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_exaltation_of_vileness.htm">The Exaltation of Vileness</a></b><br>When society begins to exalt what is vile, it reflects a deep moral and spiritual decay. Christians are called to discern and reject such exaltation, holding fast to God's standards.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_righteousness.htm">The Call to Righteousness</a></b><br>In a world where wickedness seems to prevail, believers are called to live righteously and be a light in the darkness. Our lives should reflect God's truth and righteousness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_justice.htm">Trust in God's Justice</a></b><br>Despite the apparent triumph of wickedness, Christians must trust in God's ultimate justice. He will hold the wicked accountable and vindicate the righteous in His perfect timing.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/prayer_for_deliverance.htm">Prayer for Deliverance</a></b><br>Like David, believers should earnestly pray for God's intervention and deliverance from the influence of wickedness in society.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 12</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_unbelief.htm">What does the Bible say about unbelief?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_psalm_73_12_conflict_with_history.htm">Psalm 73:12 implies the wicked live untroubled lives--does this conflict with historical records of corrupt nations eventually falling apart?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_psalm_75_8_align_with_god's_love.htm">Psalm 75:8 depicts God forcing the wicked to drink a cup of wrath; how does this harmonize with notions of a loving and merciful God in the New Testament?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_we_reconcile_prosperity_paradox.htm">Psalm 73:3 says the wicked prosper, yet other passages (e.g., Psalm 1:3) promise prosperity for the righteous--how do we reconcile this contradiction?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) <span class= "bld">The wicked.</span>--Gesenius translates this verse, "The wicked walk on every side like the rising of a tempest upon the sons of men." There seems no reason to question his rendering of the word <span class= "ital">zull-th </span>(Authorised Version, "vilest"), which is peculiar to this passage; but by comparison with <a href="/psalms/39-6.htm" title="Surely every man walks in a vain show: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heaps up riches, and knows not who shall gather them.">Psalm 39:6</a>; <a href="/psalms/58-7.htm" title="Let them melt away as waters which run continually: when he bends his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces.">Psalm 58:7</a>, we may render the first clause, <span class= "ital">the wicked vanish on every side; </span>and a slight change gives for the second clause, <span class= "ital">at the rising of a tempest on the sons of men.</span><p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The wicked walk on every side</span>. This can scarcely have been intended as an independent clause, though grammatically it stands alone. It is best to supply "while" or "though" before "the wicked," as Dr. Kay does, and to translate, <span class="accented">Though</span> (or, <span class="accented">while</span>) <span class="accented">wicked men march to and fro on all sides</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> while they have their way, and control all other men's incomings and out-goings, being free themselves. When the vilest men are exalted; rather, <span class="accented">and though villainy</span> (<span class="hebrew">זֻלּות</span>) <span class="accented">exalteth itself among the sons of men.</span> <p> <p> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/12-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The wicked</span><br /><span class="heb">רְשָׁעִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(rə·šā·‘îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7563.htm">Strong's 7563: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wrong, an, bad person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wander</span><br /><span class="heb">יִתְהַלָּכ֑וּן</span> <span class="translit">(yiṯ·hal·lā·ḵūn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | Paragogic nun<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">freely,</span><br /><span class="heb">סָבִ֗יב</span> <span class="translit">(sā·ḇîḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5439.htm">Strong's 5439: </a> </span><span class="str2">A circle, neighbour, environs, around</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and vileness</span><br /><span class="heb">זֻ֝לּ֗וּת</span> <span class="translit">(zul·lūṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2149.htm">Strong's 2149: </a> </span><span class="str2">A shaking, a tempest</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is exalted</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּרֻ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(kə·rum)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7311.htm">Strong's 7311: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be high actively, to rise, raise</span><br /><br /><span class="word">among</span><br /><span class="heb">לִבְנֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(liḇ·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">men.</span><br /><span class="heb">אָדָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḏām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_120.htm">Strong's 120: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ruddy, a human being</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/12-8.htm">Psalm 12:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/12-8.htm">Psalm 12:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/12-8.htm">Psalm 12:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/12-8.htm">Psalm 12:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/12-8.htm">Psalm 12:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/12-8.htm">Psalm 12:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/12-8.htm">Psalm 12:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/12-8.htm">Psalm 12:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/12-8.htm">Psalm 12:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/12-8.htm">Psalm 12:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/12-8.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 12:8 The wicked walk on every side when (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/12-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 12:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 12:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/13-1.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 13:1"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 13:1" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>