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

They each speak vanity with his neighbor, Lip of flattery! With heart and heart they speak.

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

YHWH cuts off all lips of flattery, A tongue speaking great things,

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

Who said, “By our tongue we do mightily: 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 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 true words: like silver tested by fire and burned clean seven times.

Sayings of YHWH [are] pure sayings—Silver tried in a furnace of earth, refined sevenfold.

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

You, O YHWH, preserve them, You keep us from this generation for all time.

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

The wicked walk around continually, According as vileness is exalted by sons of men!