< 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 Chief Musician; upon an eight-stringed lyre. A Psalm of David.] Help, LORD; for the faithful ceases. For the loyal have vanished from among the descendants of Adam.
2 Deception, speak they, every one with his neighbour, —with lips uttering smooth things—with a heart and a heart, do they speak.
Everyone lies to his neighbor. They speak with flattering lips, and with 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 the tongue that boasts,
4 Them who say—With our tongue, will we prevail, our lips, are our own, who is our master?
who have said, "With our tongue we will prevail. Our lips are our own. Who is lord over us?"
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!
"Because of the oppression of the weak and because of the groaning of the needy, I will now arise," says the LORD; "I will place in safety the one who longs for it."
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 words, as silver refined in a clay furnace, purified seven times.
7 Thou, O Yahweh, wilt keep them, —Thou wilt guard him, from this generation unto times age-abiding.
You, LORD, will protect us. You will guard us from this generation forever.
8 On every side, the lawless, march about, —when worthlessness is exalted by the sons of men.
The wicked walk on every side, when what is vile is exalted among the descendants of Adam.