Psalmorum 12

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

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

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

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

3 Disperdat Dominus universa labia dolosa, et linguam magniloquam.

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

4 Qui dixerunt: Linguam nostram magnificabimus; labia nostra a nobis sunt. Quis noster dominus est?

they declare, ‘Our tongue is our strength, our allies our lips: who is lord over us?’

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

‘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 Eloquia Domini, eloquia casta; argentum igne examinatum, probatum terræ, purgatum septuplum.

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

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

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

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

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