Psalms 12

1 Help, Jehovah, for the holy man ceases, for the faithful fail from among the sons of men.

For the chief music-maker on the Sheminith. A Psalm. Of David. Send help, Lord, for mercy has come to an end; there is no more faith among the children of men.

2 They speak falsehood everyone with his neighbor. With flattering lip, and with a double heart, they speak.

Everyone says false words to his neighbour: their tongues are smooth in their talk, and their hearts are full of deceit.

3 Jehovah will cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that speaks great things,

The smooth lips and the tongue of pride will be cut off by the Lord.

4 who have said, With our tongue will we prevail. Our lips are our own. Who is lord over us?

They have said, With our tongues will we overcome; our lips are ours: who is lord over us?

5 Because of the oppression of the poor, because of the sighing of the needy, now I will arise, says Jehovah. I will set him in the safety he gasps for.

Because of the crushing of the poor and the weeping of those in need, now will I come to his help, says the Lord; I will give him the salvation which he is desiring.

6 The words of Jehovah are pure words, as silver tried in a furnace on the earth, purified seven times.

The words of the Lord are true words: like silver tested by fire and burned clean seven times.

7 Thou will keep them, O Jehovah. Thou will preserve them from this generation forever.

You will keep them, O Lord, you will keep them safe from this generation for ever.

8 The wicked walk on every side when vileness is exalted among the sons of men.

The sinners are walking on every side, and evil is honoured among the children of men.