Psalms 12

For the Chief Musician; upon an eight-stringed lyre. A Psalm of David.

1 Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.Help, Yahweh; for the godly man ceases. For the faithful fail from among the children of men. ✦

2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.Everyone lies to his neighbor. They speak with flattering lips, and with a double heart. ✦

3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:May Yahweh cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that boasts, ✦

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

5 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.“Because of the oppression of the weak and because of the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,” says Yahweh; “I will set him in safety from those who malign him.” ✦

6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.Yahweh’s words are flawless words, as silver refined in a clay furnace, purified seven times. ✦

7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.You will keep them, Yahweh. You will preserve them from this generation forever. ✦

8 The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.The wicked walk on every side, when what is vile is exalted among the sons of men. ✦