Psalms 12

1 To the chief Musician upon 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 of the music; to the octave. A psalm of David.” Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; The faithful are failing among men.

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

They speak falsehood one to another; With flattering lips, with a double heart, do they speak.

3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, [and] the tongue that speaketh proud things:

May the LORD destroy all flattering lips, And the tongue which speaketh proud things!

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

Who say, “With our tongues will we prevail; Our lips are our reliance; 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 [from him that] puffeth at him.

For the oppression of the poor and the sighing of the wretched, Now will I stand up, saith the LORD; I will set in safety him whom they puff at.

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; Like silver purified in a furnace on the earth, Seven times refined.

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

Thou, O LORD! will watch over them; Thou wilt 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 of men are exalted.