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.

Psalm 12

For the music director; according to the sheminith style; a psalm of David.

1 Deliver, Lord!
For the godly have disappeared;
people of integrity have vanished.

2 People lie to one another;
they flatter and deceive.

3 May the Lord cut off all flattering lips,
and the tongue that boasts!

4 They say, “We speak persuasively;
we know how to flatter and boast.
Who is our master?”

5 “Because of the violence done to the oppressed,
because of the painful cries of the needy,
I will spring into action,” says the Lord.
“I will provide the safety they so desperately desire.”

6 The Lord’s words are absolutely reliable.
They are as untainted as silver purified in a furnace on the ground,
where it is thoroughly refined.

7 You, Lord, will protect them;
you will continually shelter each one from these evil people,

8 for the wicked seem to be everywhere,
when people promote evil.