1 For the chief music-maker on the Sheminith. A Psalm. Of David.

2 \12:1\Send help, Lord, for mercy has come to an end; there is no more faith among the children of men.

3 \12:2\Everyone says false words to his neighbour: their tongues are smooth in their talk, and their hearts are full of deceit.

4 \12:3\The smooth lips and the tongue of pride will be cut off by the Lord.

5 \12:4\They have said, With our tongues will we overcome; our lips are ours: who is lord over us?

6 \12:5\Because of the crushing of the poor and the weeping of those in need, now will I come to his help, says the Lord; I will give him the salvation which he is desiring.

7 \12:6\The words of the Lord are true words: like silver tested by fire and burned clean seven times.

8 \12:7\You will keep them, O Lord, you will keep them safe from this generation for ever.

9 \12:8\The sinners are walking on every side, and evil is honoured among the children of men.

1 Help, Jehovah; for the godly man ceaseth;

For the faithful fail from among the children of men.

2 They speak falsehood every one with his neighbor:

With flattering lip, and with a double heart, do they speak.

3 Jehovah will cut off all flattering lips,

The tongue that speaketh great things;

4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail;

Our lips are our own: who is lord over us?

5 Because of the oppression of the poor, because of the sighing of the needy,

Now will I arise, saith Jehovah;

I will set him in the safety he panteth for.

6 The words of Jehovah are pure words;

As silver tried in a furnace on the earth,

Purified seven times.

7 Thou wilt keep them, O Jehovah,

Thou wilt preserve them from this generation for ever.

8 The wicked walk on every side,

When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.