Psalms 12

1 TO THE OVERSEER. ON THE EIGHTH. A PSALM OF DAVID. Save, YHWH, for the saintly has failed, For the steadfast have ceased From the sons of men:

Unto the end; for the octave, a psalm for David. Save me, O Lord, for there is now no saint: truths are decayed from among the children of men.

2 They each speak vanity with his neighbor, Lip of flattery! With heart and heart they speak.

They have spoken vain things every one to his neighbour: with deceitful lips, and with a double heart have they spoken.

3 YHWH cuts off all lips of flattery, A tongue speaking great things,

May the Lord destroy all deceitful lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things.

4 Who said, “By our tongue we do mightily: Our lips [are] our own; who [is] lord over us?”

Who have said: We will magnify our tongue; our lips are our own; who is Lord over us?

5 Because of the spoiling of the poor, Because of the groaning of the needy, Now I arise, says YHWH, I set in safety [him who] breathes for it.

By reason of the misery of the needy, and the groans of the poor, now will I arise, saith the Lord. I win set him in safety; I will deal confidently in his regard.

6 Sayings of YHWH [are] pure sayings—Silver tried in a furnace of earth, refined sevenfold.

The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried by the fire, purged from the earth refined seven times.

7 You, O YHWH, preserve them, You keep us from this generation for all time.

Thou, O Lord, wilt preserve us: and keep us from this generation for ever.

8 The wicked walk around continually, According as vileness is exalted by sons of men!

The wicked walk round about: according to thy highness, thou best multiplied the children of men.