< Psalms 12 >
1 For the Chief Musician; set to the Sheminith. A Psalm of David. Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.
“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 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lip, and with a double heart, do they speak.
They speak falsehood one to another; With flattering lips, with a double heart, do they speak.
3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that speaketh great things:
May the LORD destroy all flattering lips, And the tongue which speaketh proud things!
4 Who have said, with our tongue will we 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 For the spoiling of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety at whom they puff.
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 the LORD are pure words; as silver tried in a furnace on the earth, purified seven times.
The words of the LORD are pure; Like silver purified in a furnace on the earth, Seven times refined.
7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
Thou, O LORD! will watch over them; Thou wilt preserve them from this generation for ever.
8 The wicked walk on every side, when vileness is exalted among the sons of men.
The wicked walk on every side, When the vilest of men are exalted.