< 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.
TO THE OVERSEER. ON THE EIGHTH. A PSALM OF DAVID. Save, YHWH, for the saintly has failed, For the steadfast have ceased From the sons of men:
2 They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart.
They each speak vanity with his neighbor, Lip of flattery! With heart and heart they speak.
3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue.
YHWH cuts off all lips of flattery, A tongue speaking great things,
4 They say, “With our tongues we will prevail. We own our lips—who can be our master?”
Who said, “By our tongue we do mightily: Our lips [are] our own; 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 spoiling of the poor, Because of the groaning of the needy, Now I arise, says YHWH, I set in safety [him who] breathes for it.
6 The words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace, like gold purified sevenfold.
Sayings of YHWH [are] pure sayings—Silver tried in a furnace of earth, refined sevenfold.
7 You, O LORD, will keep us; You will forever guard us from this generation.
You, O YHWH, preserve them, You keep us from this generation for all time.
8 The wicked wander freely, and vileness is exalted among men.
The wicked walk around continually, According as vileness is exalted by sons of men!