Psalms 12

1 Help, LORD; for the godly man ceases; 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 godly man ceases. For the faithful fail from amongst the children of men.

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

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

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 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, says the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffs at him.

“Because of the oppression of the weak and because of the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,” says the LORD; “I will set him in safety from those who malign him.”

6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

The LORD’s words are flawless words, as silver refined in a clay furnace, purified seven times.

7 You shall keep them, O LORD, you shall preserve them from this generation for ever.

You will keep them, LORD. You will preserve them from this generation forever.

8 The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.

The wicked walk on every side, when what is vile is exalted amongst the sons of men.