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.

For the chief musician; set to the Sheminith. A psalm of David. Help, Yahweh, for the godly have disappeared; the faithful have vanished.

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

Everyone says empty words to his neighbor; everyone speaks with flattering lips and a double heart.

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

Yahweh, cut off all flattering lips, every tongue declaring great things.

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

These are those who have said, “With our tongues will we prevail. When our lips speak, who can be master over us?”

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 against the poor, because of the groans of the needy, I will arise,” says Yahweh. “I will provide the safety for which they long.”

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 pure words, like silver purified in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times.

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

You are Yahweh! You keep them. You preserve the godly people from this wicked generation and forever.

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

The wicked walk on every side when evil is exalted among the children of mankind.