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.

“To the chief musician upon Sheminith, a psalm of David.” Help, O Lord; for the pious have ceased to be; for the truthful have failed from among the children of men.

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

Deceptively do they speak every one with his neighbor, with flattering lips, with a double heart do they speak.

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

May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that speaketh boastful things:

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

Who have said, With our tongue will we be mighty; our lips are with us; who is Lord over 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 oppression of the poor, because of the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord: I will grant safety to him for whom the other layeth a snare.

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 pure words, as silver refined in the crucible of earth, purified seven times.

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

Thou, O Lord, wilt preserve them; thou wilt guard them from this generation for ever.

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

On every side do the wicked walk about, when the vile are exalted over the sons of man.