1 To the Chief Musician upon sheminith. A Psalm of David. Help, LORD; for the godly man ceases; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.

2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbor: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.

3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaks proud things:

4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?

5 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, says the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that sneers at him.

6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tested in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

7 You shall keep them, O LORD, you shall preserve them from this generation forever.

8 The wicked prowl on every side, when vile men are exalted.