Psalms 12

1 For the Chief Musician; upon an eight-stringed lyre. A Psalm of David. Help, LORD; for the godly man ceases. For the faithful fail from amongst 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 Everyone lies to his neighbour. They speak with flattering lips, and with a double heart.

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

3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that boasts,

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

4 who have said, “With our tongue we will 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 “Because of the oppression of the weak and because of the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,” says the LORD; “I will set him in safety from those who malign 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 LORD’s words are flawless words, as silver refined in a clay furnace, purified seven times.

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

7 You will keep them, LORD. You will preserve them from this generation forever.

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

8 The wicked walk on every side, when what is vile is exalted amongst the sons of men.

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