Psalms 12

 

Psalms 12

 

¹ Help, LORD, for no one is faithful anymore;

those who are loyal have vanished from the human race.

 

² Everyone lies to their neighbor; they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts.

 

³ May the LORD silence all flattering lips and every boastful tongue—

 

⁴ those who say, “By our tongues we will prevail; our own lips will defend us—who is lord over us?”

 

⁵ “Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the LORD.

“I will protect them from those who malign them.”

 

⁶ And the words of the LORD are flawless,

like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times.

 

⁷ You, LORD, will keep the needy safe and will protect us forever from the wicked,

 

⁸ who freely strut about when what is vile is honored by the human race.