For the music director; according to the sheminith style; a psalm of David. 

David wrote this psalm, but the historical incident is unknown.

12:1 Deliver, Lord! For the godly have disappeared; people of integrity have vanished. 

David wrote a song which asked God for deliverance. The godly man of Israel had all disappeared. The people of integrity were no longer living in the land of Israel.

12:2 People lie to one another; they flatter and deceive.

The people of Israel were lying to each other. Their words were filled with flattery and deception. 

12:3 May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that boasts! 

David asked Jehovah to remove from the earth those who had flattering lips and boasting tongues.

12:4 They say, “We speak persuasively; we know how to flatter and boast. Who is our master?”

These arrogant people were very persuasive in their speech. They bragged about how well they could accomplish evil deeds by their techniques of flattery and boasting. They boasted that God was not their master. They had no master, except for themselves. 

12:5 “Because of the violence done to the oppressed, because of the painful cries of the needy, I will spring into action,” says the Lord. “I will provide the safety they so desperately desire.” 

Jehovah answered David’s prayer. He affirmed that He would spring into action to provide safety for those who were oppressed.

12:6 The Lord’s words are absolutely reliable. They are as untainted as silver purified in a furnace on the ground, 

where it is thoroughly refined. 

The words of the men around David were filled with flattery and deceit. In contrast, the words of Jehovah were 100% absolute and reliable. The words of Jehovah were as pure as silver which was refined seven times. Seven is the number of perfection or completion.

12:7 You, Lord, will protect them; you will continually shelter each one from these evil people, 

Jehovah will protect the believing remnant. He will shelter them from the evil people who wanted to destroy them with flattery and deception.

12:8 for the wicked seem to be everywhere, when people promote evil. 

The worthless and ruthless men were exercising authority and power through deceptive words. However, God’s words were true. He will protect the Jewish Remnant from these evil people.