Psalms 12

1 To the Overseer, on the octave. — A Psalm of David. Save, Jehovah, for the saintly hath failed, For the stedfast have ceased From the sons 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 Vanity they speak each with his neighbour, Lip of flattery! With heart and heart they speak.

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

3 Jehovah doth cut off all lips of flattery, A tongue speaking great things,

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

4 Who said, 'By our tongue we do mightily: 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 spoiling of the poor, Because of the groaning of the needy, Now do I arise, saith Jehovah, I set in safety [him who] doth breathe for it.

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 Sayings of Jehovah [are] pure sayings; Silver tried in a furnace of earth refined sevenfold.

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

7 Thou, O Jehovah, dost preserve them, Thou keepest us from this generation to the age.

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

8 Around the wicked walk continually, According as vileness is exalted by sons of men!

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