Psalms 12

1 Help, YHWH; for the righteous 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 godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.

2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.

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

3 YHWH shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:

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

4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is master over us?

Who have said: 'Our tongue will we make 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 YHWH; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.

'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.'

6 The words of YHWH 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 crucible on the earth, refined seven times.

7 Thou shalt keep them, O YHWH, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

Thou wilt keep them, O LORD; Thou wilt preserve us 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 vileness is exalted among the sons of men.