Salmos 12

Oppression by the Wicked

For the choir director: according to Sheminith. # 12:title 1Ch 15:21; Ps 6 title A psalm of David.

1 Help, Lord, for no faithful one remains;

the loyal have disappeared from the human race.  * 12:1 Or the descendants of Adam, also in v. 8,* 12:1 Ps 14:2–3; 53:2–3; Mc 7:2

2 They lie to one another;

they speak with flattering lips and deceptive hearts.  * 12:2 Ps 41:6; 144:8; Jr 9:8

3 May the Lord cut off all flattering lips

and the tongue that speaks boastfully.  * 12:3 Ps 5:9

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

our lips are our own — who can be our master? "  * 12:4 Ps 73:8–9

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."  * 12:5 Ps 9:18; 72:4

6 The words of the  Lord are pure words,

like silver refined in an earthen furnace,

purified seven times.  * 12:6 Ps 18:30; 119:140; Pr 30:5

7 You, Lord, will guard us;  * 12:7 Some Hb mss, LXX, Jer; other Hb mss read them

you will protect us  * 12:7 Some Hb mss, LXX; other Hb mss read him from this generation forever.  * 12:7 Ps 37:28; 97:10

8 The wicked prowl  * 12:8 Lit walk about all around,

and what is worthless is exalted by the human race.  * 12:8 Ps 4:2; 119:37