To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David.

1 Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.*12.1 upon…: or, upon the eighth*12.1 Help: or, Save

2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.*12.2 a double…: Heb. an heart and an heart

3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:*12.3 proud: Heb. great

4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?*12.4 are…: Heb. are with us

5 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.*12.5 puffeth…: or, would ensnare him

6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.*12.7 them from: Heb. him, etc: that is, every one of them, etc

8 The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.*12.8 men: Heb. of the sons of the men

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

2 Red, o Here, want daar is geen vrome meer nie; want die getroues het verdwyn onder die mensekinders.

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.

9 Die goddelose draf rond as laagheid die oorhand kry by die mensekinders.