Psalm 12

1 Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases!

Mans Treachery and Gods ConstancyTo the Chief Musician. On An Eight-Stringed Harp. A Psalm of David. For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men.

2 They speak idly everyone with his neighbor; With flattering lips and a double heart they speak.3 May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, And the tongue that speaks proud things,4 Who have said, With our tongue we will 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 I will arise, says the Lord; I will set him in the safety for which he yearns.6 The words of the Lord are pure words, Like silver tried in a furnace of earth, Purified seven times.7 You shall keep them, O Lord, You shall preserve them from this generation forever.8 The wicked prowl on every side, When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.

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