1 Vir die musiekleier; met basstem. 'n Psalm van Dawid.

3 Hulle praat leuens, die een met die ander; met vleiende lippe spreek hulle dubbelhartig.

4 Mag die HERE al die vleiende lippe uitroei, die tong wat grootpraat,

5 hulle wat sê: Met ons tong is ons sterk; ons lippe is met ons! Wie is heer oor ons?

6 Oor die verdrukking van die ellendiges, oor die gesug van die behoeftiges sal Ek nou opstaan, sê die HERE; Ek sal hom in veiligheid stel wat daarna smag.

7 Die woorde van die HERE is rein woorde, silwer wat gelouter is in 'n smeltkroes in die aarde, gesuiwer sewe maal.

8 U, o HERE, sal hulle bewaar; U sal ons bewaar van hierdie geslag vir ewig. [ (Psalms 12:9) Die goddelose draf rond as laagheid die oorhand kry by die mensekinders. ]

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.