Psalms 12

1 To the Chief Musician. On the Octave. A Melody of David. O save Yahweh, for the man of lovingkindness, is no more, for the faithful, have vanished, from among the sons of men.

For the choirmaster. According to Sheminith. A Psalm of David. Help, O LORD, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men.

2 Deception, speak they, every one with his neighbour, —with lips uttering smooth things—with a heart and a heart, do they speak.

They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart.

3 May Yahweh cut off All the lips that utter smooth things, —the tongue that speaketh swelling words;

May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue.

4 Them who say—With our tongue, will we prevail, our lips, are our own, who is our master?

They say, “With our tongues we will prevail. We own our lips—who can be our master?”

5 Because of violence done to the poor, because of the crying of the needy, Now, will I arise! O may Yahweh say, —I will place [him] in safety—let him puff at him!

“For the cause of the oppressed and for the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,” says the LORD. “I will bring safety to him who yearns.”

6 The words of Yahweh, are words, that are pure, silver refined in a crucible of earth, purified seven times!

The words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace, like gold purified sevenfold.

7 Thou, O Yahweh, wilt keep them, —Thou wilt guard him, from this generation unto times age-abiding.

You, O LORD, will keep us; You will forever guard us from this generation.

8 On every side, the lawless, march about, —when worthlessness is exalted by the sons of men.

The wicked wander freely, and vileness is exalted among men.