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 leader; on the sheminith. A psalm of David. Help, Lord, for the good are all gone, faithful people have vanished.

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

One lies to another, speaking empty lies, with flattering lips and false hearts they speak.

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

May the Lord cut off all the flattering lips, and the tongue that utters arrogance,

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

they declare, ‘Our tongue is our strength, our allies our lips: 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.'

‘The poor are despoiled, and the needy are sighing; so now I will act,’ the Lord declares ‘And place them in the safety they long for.’

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 words that are pure, silver smelted, seven times refined.

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

You will keep us, Lord, and guard us from this generation forever,

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

in a world where the wicked prowl, and worthless people exalted.