Psalms 12

1 “To the chief musician upon Sheminith, a psalm of David.” Help, O Lord; for the pious have ceased to be; for the truthful have failed from among the children of men.

To the Chief Musician. On the Octave. A Melody of David. O save Yahweh, for the man of lovingkindness, is no more, for the faithful, have vanished, from among the sons of men.

2 Deceptively do they speak every one with his neighbor, with flattering lips, with a double heart do they speak.

Deception, speak they, every one with his neighbour, —with lips uttering smooth things—with a heart and a heart, do they speak.

3 May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that speaketh boastful things:

May Yahweh cut off All the lips that utter smooth things, —the tongue that speaketh swelling words;

4 Who have said, With our tongue will we be mighty; our lips are with us; who is Lord over us!

Them who say—With our tongue, will we prevail, our lips, are our own, who is our master?

5 Because of the oppression of the poor, because of the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord: I will grant safety to him for whom the other layeth a snare.

Because of violence done to the poor, because of the crying of the needy, Now, will I arise! O may Yahweh say, —I will place [him] in safety—let him puff at him!

6 The words of the Lord are pure words, as silver refined in the crucible of earth, purified seven times.

The words of Yahweh, are words, that are pure, silver refined in a crucible of earth, purified seven times!

7 Thou, O Lord, wilt preserve them; thou wilt guard them from this generation for ever.

Thou, O Yahweh, wilt keep them, —Thou wilt guard him, from this generation unto times age-abiding.

8 On every side do the wicked walk about, when the vile are exalted over the sons of man.

On every side, the lawless, march about, —when worthlessness is exalted by the sons of men.