Psalms, 12

1. <To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David.> Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.

1.

2. They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: [with] flattering lips [and] with a double heart do they speak.

2. Help us, O Lord, none of the godly are left, the faithful have vanished.

3. The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, [and] the tongue that speaketh proud things:

3. Everyone lies; with flattering lips they speak from a double heart.

4. Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips [are] our own: who [is] lord over us?

4. May the Lord cut off insincere lips, every glib tongue that utters deceit.

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.

5. Many say, "Our strength lies in our tongue. We know how to speak, who will lord it over us?"

6. The words of the LORD [are] pure words: [as] silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

6. "The poor are despoiled and the needy suffer, now I will save them," says the Lord. "I will give them security."

7. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

7. The promises of the Lord are sure and lasting - silver refined in the furnace seven times and freed from dross.

8. The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.

8. Hold us, O Lord, in your keeping; protect us always from this generation,

9.

9. where the wicked prowl on all sides, and the basest are exalted.