< Psalms 12 >
1 Help, LORD; for the godly man ceases; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.
For the choirmaster. According to Sheminith. A Psalm of David. Help, O LORD, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men.
2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.
They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart.
3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaks proud things:
May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue.
4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?
They say, “With our tongues we will prevail. We own our lips—who can be our master?”
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 cause of the oppressed and for the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,” says the LORD. “I will bring safety to him who yearns.”
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 flawless, like silver refined in a furnace, like gold purified sevenfold.
7 You shall keep them, O LORD, you shall preserve them from this generation for ever.
You, O LORD, will keep us; You will forever guard us from this generation.
8 The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.
The wicked wander freely, and vileness is exalted among men.