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.

Unto the end. For the octave. A Psalm of David. Save me, O Lord, because holiness has passed away, because truths have been diminished, before the sons of men.

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

They have been speaking emptiness, each one to his neighbor; they have been speaking with deceitful lips and a duplicitous heart.

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

May the Lord scatter all deceitful lips, along with the tongue that speaks malice.

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

They have said: “We will magnify our tongue; our lips belong to us. What is Lord to us?”

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.'

Because of the misery of the destitute and the groaning of the poor, now I will arise, says the Lord. I will place him in safety. I will act faithfully toward him.

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

The eloquence of the Lord is pure eloquence, silver tested by fire, purged from the earth, refined seven times.

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

You, O Lord, will preserve us, and you will guard us from this generation into eternity.

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

The impious wander aimlessly. According to your loftiness, you have multiplied the sons of men.