Charles Ellicott Commentary Psalms 12:8

"The wicked walk on every side, When vileness is exalted among the sons of men." — Psalms 12:8 (ASV)

The wicked. —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 zullûth (Authorised Version, “vilest”), which is peculiar to this passage; but by comparison with Psalm 39:6; Psalms 58:7, we may render the first clause, the wicked vanish on every side; and a slight change yields for the second clause, at the rising of a tempest on the sons of men.