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 Leader; on the Sheminith. A Psalm of David. Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.

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

They speak falsehood every one with his neighbour; with flattering lip, and with a double heart, do they speak.

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

May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that speaketh proud things!

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

Who have said: 'Our tongue will we make mighty; our lips are with us: 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.

'For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise', saith the LORD; 'I will set him in safety at whom they puff.'

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 pure words, as silver tried in a crucible on the earth, refined seven times.

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

Thou wilt keep them, O LORD; Thou wilt preserve us 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 wicked walk on every side, when vileness is exalted among the sons of men.