Psalms 12

1 For the Leader; on the Sheminith. A Psalm of David. Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.

HELP, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.

2 They speak falsehood every one with his neighbour; with flattering lip, and with a double heart, do they speak.

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

3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that speaketh proud things!

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

4 Who have said: 'Our tongue will we make mighty; our lips are with us: 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 '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 at whom they puff.'

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 pure words, as silver tried in a crucible on the earth, refined seven times.

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

7 Thou wilt keep them, O LORD; Thou wilt preserve us from this generation for ever.

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

8 The wicked walk on every side, when vileness is exalted among the sons of men.

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