< Psalms 12 >
1 Help, LORD; for the godly man ceases; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.
Help, LORD; for the godly man ceases; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.
2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbor: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.
They speak vanity every one with his neighbor: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.
3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaks proud things:
The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaks proud things:
4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?
Who have said, With our tongue will we 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, says the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffs at him.
For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, says the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffs at him.
6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
7 You shall keep them, O LORD, you shall preserve them from this generation for ever.
You shall keep them, O LORD, you shall preserve them from this generation for ever.
8 The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.
The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.