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

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

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

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

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

4 Who said, “By our tongue we do mightily: Our lips [are] our own; 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 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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