Psalm 12In Hebrew texts 12:1-8 is numbered 12:2-9.
For the director of music. According to sheminith.Title: Probably a musical term A psalm of David.
1Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore;
those who are loyal have vanished from the human race.
2Everyone lies to their neighbor;
they flatter with their lips
but harbor deception in their hearts.
3May the Lord silence all flattering lips
and every boastful tongue—
4those who say,
“By our tongues we will prevail;
our own lips will defend us—who is lord over us?”
5“Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan,
I will now arise,” says the Lord.
“I will protect them from those who malign them.”
6And the words of the Lord are flawless,
like silver purified in a crucible,
like gold12:6 Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; Masoretic Text earth refined seven times.
7You, Lord, will keep the needy safe
and will protect us forever from the wicked,
8who freely strut about
when what is vile is honored by the human race.
To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David.
1Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.12.1 upon…: or, upon the eighth12.1 Help: or, Save
2They 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
3The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:12.3 proud: Heb. great
4Who 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
5For 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
6The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
7Thou 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
8The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.12.8 men: Heb. of the sons of the men
