Psalms 12

1 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.

To the chief Musician. Upon Sheminith. A Psalm of David. Save, Jehovah, for the godly man is gone; for the faithful have failed from among the children of men.

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

They speak falsehood every one with his neighbour: [with] flattering lip, with a double heart, do they speak.

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

Jehovah will cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that speaketh proud things,

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

Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail, our lips are our own: who [is] lord over us?

5 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.

Because of the oppression of the afflicted, because of the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith Jehovah, I will set [him] in safety, at whom they puff.

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

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

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

Thou, Jehovah, wilt keep them, thou wilt preserve them from this generation for ever.

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

The wicked walk about on every side, when vileness is exalted among the children of men.