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 leader of the music; to the octave. A psalm of David.” Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; The faithful are failing among men.

2 Everyone lies to his neighbour. They speak with flattering lips, and with a double heart.

They speak falsehood one to another; With flattering lips, with a double heart, do they speak.

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

May the LORD destroy all flattering lips, And the tongue which speaketh proud things!

4 who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail. Our lips are our own. Who is lord over us?”

Who say, “With our tongues will we prevail; Our lips are our reliance; Who is lord over us?”

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 oppression of the poor and the sighing of the wretched, Now will I stand up, saith the LORD; I will set in safety him whom they puff at.

6 The LORD’s words are flawless words, as silver refined in a clay furnace, purified seven times.

The words of the LORD are pure; Like silver purified in a furnace on the earth, Seven times refined.

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

Thou, O LORD! will watch over them; Thou wilt preserve them from this generation for ever.

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

The wicked walk on every side, When the vilest of men are exalted.