Psalms 12

1 Unto the end; for the octave, a psalm for David. Save me, O Lord, for there is now no saint: truths are decayed from among the children of men.

For the leader; on the sheminith. A psalm of David. Help, Lord, for the good are all gone, faithful people have vanished.

2 They have spoken vain things every one to his neighbour: with deceitful lips, and with a double heart have they spoken.

One lies to another, speaking empty lies, with flattering lips and false hearts they speak.

3 May the Lord destroy all deceitful lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things.

May the Lord cut off all the flattering lips, and the tongue that utters arrogance,

4 Who have said: We will magnify our tongue; our lips are our own; who is Lord over us?

they declare, ‘Our tongue is our strength, our allies our lips: who is lord over us?’

5 By reason of the misery of the needy, and the groans of the poor, now will I arise, saith the Lord. I win set him in safety; I will deal confidently in his regard.

‘The poor are despoiled, and the needy are sighing; so now I will act,’ the Lord declares ‘And place them in the safety they long for.’

6 The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried by the fire, purged from the earth refined seven times.

The words of the Lord are words that are pure, silver smelted, seven times refined.

7 Thou, O Lord, wilt preserve us: and keep us from this generation for ever.

You will keep us, Lord, and guard us from this generation forever,

8 The wicked walk round about: according to thy highness, thou best multiplied the children of men.

in a world where the wicked prowl, and worthless people exalted.