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 Til sangmesteren, efter Sjeminit*; en salme av David. / {* SLM 6, 1.}

2 Frels, Herre! for de fromme er borte, de trofaste er forsvunnet blandt menneskenes barn.

3 Løgn taler de, hver med sin næste, med falske leber; med tvesinnet hjerte taler de.

4 Herren utrydde alle falske leber, den tunge som taler store ord,

5 dem som sier: Ved vår tunge skal vi få overhånd, våre leber er med oss, hvem er herre over oss?

6 For de elendiges ødeleggelses skyld, for de fattiges sukks skyld vil jeg nu reise mig, sier Herren; jeg vil gi dem frelse som stunder efter den.

7 Herrens ord er rene ord, likesom sølv som er renset i en smeltedigel i jorden, syv ganger renset.

8 Du, Herre, vil bevare dem, du vil vokte dem for denne slekt evindelig.

9 Rundt omkring svermer de ugudelige, når skarn er ophøiet blandt menneskenes barn.