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, Yahweh; for the godly man ceases.

For the faithful fail from among the children of men.

2 Everyone lies to his neighbor.

They speak with flattering lips, and with a double heart.

3 May Yahweh cut off all flattering lips,

and the tongue that boasts,

4 who have said, "With our tongue we will prevail.

Our lips are our own.

Who is lord over us?"

5 "Because of the oppression of the weak and because of the groaning of the needy,

I will now arise," says Yahweh;

"I will set him in safety from those who malign him."

6 Yahweh’s words are flawless words,

as silver refined in a clay furnace, purified seven times.

7 You will keep them, Yahweh.

You will preserve them from this generation forever.

8 The wicked walk on every side,

when what is vile is exalted among the sons of men.