Psalm 12

Psalm 12

For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by an eight-stringed instrument.

1 Help, O LORD, for the godly are fast disappearing!
The faithful have vanished from the earth!2 Neighbors lie to each other,
speaking with flattering lips and deceitful hearts.3 May the LORD cut off their flattering lips
and silence their boastful tongues.4 They say, “We will lie to our hearts’ content.
Our lips are our own—who can stop us?”5 The LORD replies, “I have seen violence done to the helpless,
and I have heard the groans of the poor.
Now I will rise up to rescue them,
as they have longed for me to do.”6 The LORD’s promises are pure,
like silver refined in a furnace,
purified seven times over.7 Therefore, LORD, we know you will protect the oppressed,
preserving them forever from this lying generation,8 even though the wicked strut about,
and evil is praised throughout the land.

PSALMS 12

A Prayer for Help

1 Please help me, [Lord]!
All who were faithful
and all who were loyal
have disappeared.

2 Everyone tells lies,
and no one is sincere.

3 Won't you chop off
all flattering tongues
that brag so loudly?

4 They say to themselves,
“We are great speakers.
No one else has a chance.”

5 But you, [Lord], tell them,
“I will do something!
The poor are mistreated
and helpless people moan.
I'll rescue all who suffer.”

6 Our [Lord], you are true
to your promises,
and your word is like silver
heated seven times
in a fiery furnace.t

7 You will protect us
and always keep us safe
from those people.

8 But all who are wicked
will keep on strutting,
while everyone praises
their shameless deeds.t