< Psalms 12 >
1 Yahweh, help us! [It seems that] people who are loyal to you have all vanished.
For the chief music-maker on the Sheminith. A Psalm. Of David. Send help, Lord, for mercy has come to an end; there is no more faith among the children of men.
2 Everyone tells lies to other people; they deceive others by (flattering them/saying good things about them that they know are not true).
Everyone says false words to his neighbour: their tongues are smooth in their talk, and their hearts are full of deceit.
3 Yahweh, we wish that you would cut off their tongues so that they cannot continue to boast.
The smooth lips and the tongue of pride will be cut off by the Lord.
4 They say, “By telling lies we will get what we want; we control what we say [MTY], so no one can tell us what we should not do!”
They have said, With our tongues will we overcome; our lips are ours: who is lord over us?
5 But Yahweh replies, “I have seen the violent things that they have done to helpless people; and I have heard those people groaning, so I will arise and rescue the people who are wanting me to help them.”
Because of the crushing of the poor and the weeping of those in need, now will I come to his help, says the Lord; I will give him the salvation which he is desiring.
6 Yahweh, you always do what you have promised to do; what you have promised is [as precious and pure as] silver that has been heated seven times in a furnace [to get rid of all the] impure material.
The words of the Lord are true words: like silver tested by fire and burned clean seven times.
7 Wicked people strut around [proudly], and people praise them for doing vile/wicked deeds, but Yahweh, [we know that] you will protect/rescue us from those wicked people.
You will keep them, O Lord, you will keep them safe from this generation for ever.
The sinners are walking on every side, and evil is honoured among the children of men.