Psalms 12

1 [For the Chief Musician; upon an eight-stringed lyre. A Psalm of David.] Help, YHWH; for the faithful ceases. For the loyal have vanished from among the descendants of Adam.

“For the leader of the music; to the octave. A psalm of David.” Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; The faithful are failing among men.

2 Everyone lies to his neighbor. They speak with flattering lips, and with a double heart.

They speak falsehood one to another; With flattering lips, with a double heart, do they speak.

3 May YHWH cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that boasts,

May the LORD destroy all flattering lips, And the tongue which speaketh proud things!

4 who have said, "With our tongue we will prevail. Our lips are our own. Who is lord over us?"

Who say, “With our tongues will we prevail; Our lips are our reliance; Who is lord over us?”

5 "Because of the oppression of the weak and because of the groaning of the needy, I will now arise," says YHWH; "I will place in safety the one who longs for it."

For the oppression of the poor and the sighing of the wretched, Now will I stand up, saith the LORD; I will set in safety him whom they puff at.

6 The words of YHWH are flawless words, as silver refined in a clay furnace, purified seven times.

The words of the LORD are pure; Like silver purified in a furnace on the earth, Seven times refined.

7 You, YHWH, will protect us. You will guard us from this generation forever.

Thou, O LORD! will watch over them; Thou wilt preserve them from this generation for ever.

8 The wicked walk on every side, when what is vile is exalted among the descendants of Adam.

The wicked walk on every side, When the vilest of men are exalted.