Psalms 12

1 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.

For the choirmaster. According to Sheminith. A Psalm of David. Help, O LORD, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men.

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

They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart.

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

May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue.

4 Who have said: 'Our tongue will we make mighty; our lips are with us: who is lord over us?'

They say, “With our tongues we will prevail. We own our lips—who can be our master?”

5 '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.'

“For the cause of the oppressed and for the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,” says the LORD. “I will bring safety to him who yearns.”

6 The words of the LORD are pure words, as silver tried in a crucible on the earth, refined seven times.

The words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace, like gold purified sevenfold.

7 Thou wilt keep them, O LORD; Thou wilt preserve us from this generation for ever.

You, O LORD, will keep us; You will forever guard us from this generation.

8 The wicked walk on every side, when vileness is exalted among the sons of men.

The wicked wander freely, and vileness is exalted among men.