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.” Help, O Lord; for the pious have ceased to be; for the truthful 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.

Deceptively do they speak every one with his neighbor, with flattering lips, with a double heart do they speak.

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

May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that speaketh boastful 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 be mighty; our lips are with us; 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 poor, because of the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord: I will grant safety to him for whom the other layeth a snare.

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

The words of the Lord are pure words, as silver refined in the crucible of earth, purified seven times.

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

Thou, O Lord, wilt preserve them; thou wilt guard them from this generation for ever.

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

On every side do the wicked walk about, when the vile are exalted over the sons of man.