Psalm 12

Oppression by the Wicked

For the choir director: according to Sheminith. ^a A psalm of David.

¹Help, Lord, for no faithful one remains;

the loyal have disappeared from the human race. ^b,^c

²They lie to one another;

they speak with flattering lips and deceptive hearts. ^d

³May the Lord cut off all flattering lips

and the tongue that speaks boastfully. ^e

⁴They say, “Through our tongues we have power;

our lips are our own #— #who can be our master? ” ^f

⁵“Because of the devastation of the needy

and the groaning of the poor,

I will now rise up,” says the Lord.

“I will provide safety for the one who longs for it.” ^g

⁶The words of the Lord are pure words,

like silver refined in an earthen furnace,

purified seven times. ^h

⁷You, Lord, will guard us; ⁱ

you will protect us ^j from this generation forever. ^k

⁸The wicked prowl ^l all around,

and what is worthless is exalted by the human race. ^m