“The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times” (Psa 12:6).

Words are not tangible objects like precious metals purified in a crucible. However, the metaphor of the Lord’s words purified seven times in a furnace affirms purity. Simply put, it means the Lord will do what he has assured us he will do.

Note that this confidence in the words of the Lord follows what he has said in the previous verses. “Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the LORD; “I will place him in the safety for which he longs” (Psa 12:5). The Lord has promised that he will deliver the poor from those who persecute them because the groans of the oppressed have reached his ears. The poor have no one to save them, nor do they have any power to protect themselves. However, the Lord has determined to act for them.

Thus, the Lord’s words in this context are significant only because of his promise to protect the underprivileged. These words are reliable because they have been refined seven times. He will act as he has determined.

Living in a world where the poor continue to groan, politicians’ promises are futile. Human history has shown that political leaders’ promises are polluted and unreliable. If there is anything that we can trust, it is the pure promises of the Lord.

Since we have the Lord’s promises and have known that human promises are all in vain, in times of our struggle we must cry out to the Lord, “Kurie Eleison” (Lord have mercy). He will surely act.