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:

For the leader; on the sheminith. A psalm of David. Help, Lord, for the good are all gone, faithful people have vanished.

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

One lies to another, speaking empty lies, with flattering lips and false hearts they speak.

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

May the Lord cut off all the flattering lips, and the tongue that utters arrogance,

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

they declare, “Our tongue is our strength, our allies our lips: 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.

“The poor are despoiled, and the needy are sighing; so now I will act,” the Lord declares “And place them in the safety they long for.”

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

The words of the Lord are words that are pure, silver smelted, seven times refined.

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

You will keep us, Lord, and guard us from this generation forever,

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

in a world where the wicked prowl, and worthless people exalted.