Psalms 12

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

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.