Psalm 12

Oppression by the Wicked

For the choir director: according to Sheminith.† A psalm of David.

Help, Lord, for no faithful one remains;

the loyal have disappeared from the human race.a a

2They lie to one another;

they speak with flattering lips and deceptive hearts.a

3May the Lord cut off all flattering lips

and the tongue that speaks boastfully.a

4They say, “Through our tongues we have power;

our lips are our own — who can be our master? ”a

5“Because of the devastation of the needy

and the groaning of the poor,

I will now rise up,” says the Lord.

“I will provide safety for the one who longs for it.”a

6The words of the Lord are pure words,

like silver refined in an earthen furnace,

purified seven times.a

7You, Lord, will guard us;A

you will protect usB from this generation forever.a

8The wicked prowlA all around,

and what is worthless is exalted by the human race.a