Psalms 12

1 To him that excelleth upon the eight tune. A Psalme of Dauid. Helpe Lord, for there is not a godly man left: for the faithfull are fayled from among the children of men.

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.

2 They speake deceitfully euery one with his neighbour, flattering with their lips, and speake with a double heart.

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

3 The Lord cut off all flattering lippes, and the tongue that speaketh proude things:

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

4 Which haue saide, With our tongue will we preuaile: our lippes are our owne: who is Lord ouer vs?

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

5 Now for the oppression of the needy, and for the sighes of the poore, I will vp, sayeth the Lord, and will set at libertie him, whom the wicked hath snared.

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.

6 The wordes of the Lord are pure wordes, as the siluer, tried in a fornace of earth, fined seuen folde.

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

7 Thou wilt keepe them, O Lord: thou wilt preserue him from this generation for euer.

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

8 The wicked walke on euery side: when they are exalted, it is a shame for the sonnes of men.

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