Psalmorum 12

1 In finem pro octava, Psalmus David. Salvum me fac Domine, quoniam defecit sanctus: quoniam diminutæ sunt veritates a filiis hominum.

“To the chief musician upon Sheminith, a psalm of David.” Help, O Lord; for the pious have ceased to be; for the truthful have failed from among the children of men.

2 Vana locuti sunt unusquisque ad proximum suum: labia dolosa, in corde et corde locuti sunt.

Deceptively do they speak every one with his neighbor, with flattering lips, with a double heart do they speak.

3 Disperdat Dominus universa labia dolosa, et linguam magniloquam.

May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that speaketh boastful things:

4 Qui dixerunt: Linguam nostram magnificabimus, labia nostra a nobis sunt, quis noster Dominus est?

Who have said, With our tongue will we be mighty; our lips are with us; who is Lord over us!

5 Propter miseriam inopum, et gemitum pauperum nunc exurgam, dicit Dominus. Ponam in salutari: fiducialiter agam in eo.

Because of the oppression of the poor, because of the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord: I will grant safety to him for whom the other layeth a snare.

6 Eloquia Domini, eloquia casta: argentum igne examinatum, probatum terræ purgatum septuplum.

The words of the Lord are pure words, as silver refined in the crucible of earth, purified seven times.

7 Tu Domine servabis nos: et custodies nos a generatione hac in æternum.

Thou, O Lord, wilt preserve them; thou wilt guard them from this generation for ever.

8 In circuitu impii ambulant: secundum altitudinem tuam multiplicasti filios hominum.

On every side do the wicked walk about, when the vile are exalted over the sons of man.