< Psalms 12 >
1 For the choirmaster. According to Sheminith. A Psalm of David. Help, O LORD, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among 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 lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart.
Everyone says false words to his neighbour: their tongues are smooth in their talk, and their hearts are full of deceit.
3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue.
The smooth lips and the tongue of pride will be cut off by the Lord.
4 They say, “With our tongues we will prevail. We own our lips—who can be our master?”
They have said, With our tongues will we overcome; our lips are ours: who is lord over us?
5 “For the cause of the oppressed and for the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,” says the LORD. “I will bring safety to him who yearns.”
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 the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace, like gold purified sevenfold.
The words of the Lord are true words: like silver tested by fire and burned clean seven times.
7 You, O LORD, will keep us; You will forever guard us from this generation.
You will keep them, O Lord, you will keep them safe from this generation for ever.
8 The wicked wander freely, and vileness is exalted among men.
The sinners are walking on every side, and evil is honoured among the children of men.