Psalms 12

1 For the chief music-maker on the Sheminith. A Psalm. Of David. Send help, Lord, for mercy has come to an end; there is no more faith among the children of men.

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.

2 Everyone says false words to his neighbour: their tongues are smooth in their talk, and their hearts are full of deceit.

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

3 The smooth lips and the tongue of pride will be cut off by the Lord.

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

4 They have said, With our tongues will we overcome; our lips are ours: who is lord over us?

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

5 Because of the crushing of the poor and the weeping of those in need, now will I come to his help, says the Lord; I will give him the salvation which he is desiring.

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.

6 The words of the Lord are true words: like silver tested by fire and burned clean seven times.

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

7 You will keep them, O Lord, you will keep them safe from this generation for ever.

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

8 The sinners are walking on every side, and evil is honoured among the children of men.

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