Psalm 1232

For the music director; according to the sheminith style;33 a psalm of David.

12:1 Deliver, Lord!

For the godly1 have disappeared;2

people of integrity3 have vanished.4

12:2 People lie to one another;5

they flatter and deceive.6

12:3 May the Lord cut off7 all flattering lips,

and the tongue that boasts!8

12:4 They say,9 “We speak persuasively;10

we know how to flatter and boast.11

Who is our master?”12

12:5 “Because of the violence done to the oppressed,13

because of the painful cries14 of the needy,

I will spring into action,”15 says the Lord.

“I will provide the safety they so desperately desire.”16

12:6 The Lord’s words are absolutely reliable.17

They are as untainted as silver purified in a furnace on the ground,

where it is thoroughly refined.18

12:7 You, Lord, will protect them;19

you will continually shelter each one from these evil people,20

12:8 for the wicked seem to be everywhere,21

when people promote evil.22