1 Help, Lord, for no faithful one remains;

the loyal have disappeared from the human race.  *,*

2 They lie to one another;

they speak with flattering lips and deceptive hearts.  *

3 May the Lord cut off all flattering lips

and the tongue that speaks boastfully.  *

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

our lips are our own — who can be our master? "  *

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."  *

6 The words of the  Lord are pure words,

like silver refined in an earthen furnace,

purified seven times.  *

7 You, Lord, will guard us;  *

you will protect us  * from this generation forever.  *

8 The wicked prowl  * all around,

and what is worthless is exalted by the human race.  *