Psalms 12

1 To the chief Musician upon Sheminith. A Psalm of David. Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children 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 They speak vanity every one with his neighbor: [with] flattering lips [and] with a double heart do they speak.

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

3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, [and] the tongue that speaketh proud things:

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

4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips [are] our own: who [is] lord over us?

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

5 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set [him] in safety [from him that] puffeth 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 the LORD [are] pure words: [as] silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

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

7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

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

8 The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.

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