For the Chief Musician; set to the Sheminith. A Psalm of David.

1 Help, Jehovah; for the godly man ceaseth;

For the faithful fail from among the children of men.

2 They speak falsehood every one with his neighbor:

With flattering lip, and with a double heart, do they speak.

3 Jehovah will cut off all flattering lips,

The tongue that speaketh great things;

4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail;

Our lips are our own: who is lord over us?

5 Because of the oppression of the poor, because of the sighing of the needy,

Now will I arise, saith Jehovah;

I will set him in the safety he panteth for.

6 The words of Jehovah are pure words;

As silver tried in a furnace on the earth,

Purified seven times.

7 Thou wilt keep them, O Jehovah,

Thou wilt preserve them from this generation for ever.

8 The wicked walk on every side,

When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.