< 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 chief musician; set to the Sheminith. A psalm of David. Help, Yahweh, for the godly have disappeared; the faithful have vanished.
2 Vanity they speak each with his neighbour, Lip of flattery! With heart and heart they speak.
Everyone says empty words to his neighbor; everyone speaks with flattering lips and a double heart.
3 Jehovah doth cut off all lips of flattery, A tongue speaking great things,
Yahweh, cut off all flattering lips, every tongue declaring great things.
4 Who said, 'By our tongue we do mightily: Our lips [are] our own; who [is] lord over us?'
These are those who have said, “With our tongues will we prevail. When our lips speak, who can be master 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.
“Because of violence against the poor, because of the groans of the needy, I will arise,” says Yahweh. “I will provide the safety for which they long.”
6 Sayings of Jehovah [are] pure sayings; Silver tried in a furnace of earth refined sevenfold.
The words of Yahweh are pure words, like silver purified in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times.
7 Thou, O Jehovah, dost preserve them, Thou keepest us from this generation to the age.
You are Yahweh! You keep them. You preserve the godly people from this wicked generation and forever.
8 Around the wicked walk continually, According as vileness is exalted by sons of men!
The wicked walk on every side when evil is exalted among the children of mankind.