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; on the sheminith. A psalm of David. Help, Lord, for the good are all gone, faithful people have vanished.

2 Vanity they speak each with his neighbour, Lip of flattery! With heart and heart they speak.

One lies to another, speaking empty lies, with flattering lips and false hearts they speak.

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

May the Lord cut off all the flattering lips, and the tongue that utters arrogance,

4 Who said, 'By our tongue we do mightily: Our lips [are] our own; who [is] lord over us?'

they declare, ‘Our tongue is our strength, our allies our lips: 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.

‘The poor are despoiled, and the needy are sighing; so now I will act,’ the Lord declares ‘And place them in the safety they long for.’

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

The words of the Lord are words that are pure, silver smelted, seven times refined.

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

You will keep us, Lord, and guard us from this generation forever,

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

in a world where the wicked prowl, and worthless people exalted.