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 Chief Musician; upon an eight-stringed lyre. A Psalm of David.] Help, LORD; for the faithful ceases. For the loyal have vanished from among the descendants of Adam.

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

Everyone lies to his neighbor. They speak with flattering lips, and with 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 the tongue that boasts,

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 we will prevail. Our lips are our own. 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 weak and because of the groaning of the needy, I will now arise," says the LORD; "I will place in safety the one who longs for it."

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 words, as silver refined in a clay furnace, purified seven times.

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

You, LORD, will protect us. You will guard us from this generation forever.

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

The wicked walk on every side, when what is vile is exalted among the descendants of Adam.