Psalm 12

Psalm 12^a

For the director of music. According to sheminith.^b A psalm of David.

¹Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore;^z

those who are loyal have vanished from the human race.

²Everyone lies^a to their neighbor;

they flatter with their lips

but harbor deception in their hearts.^b

³May the Lord silence all flattering lips^c

and every boastful tongue—^d

⁴those who say,

“By our tongues we will prevail;^e

our own lips will defend us—who is lord over us?”

⁵“Because the poor are plundered^f and the needy groan,^g

I will now arise,^h” says the Lord.

“I will protect themⁱ from those who malign them.”

⁶And the words of the Lord are flawless,^j

like silver purified^k in a crucible,^l

like gold^c refined seven times.

⁷You, Lord, will keep the needy safe^m

and will protect us forever from the wicked,ⁿ

⁸who freely strut^o about

when what is vile is honored by the human race.