Psalm 12

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

¹ Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore; 
    those who are loyal have vanished from the human race.
² Everyone lies to their neighbor;
    they flatter with their lips
    but harbor deception in their hearts.

³ May the Lord silence all flattering lips 
    and every boastful tongue— 
⁴ those 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.”
⁶ And the words of the Lord are flawless, 
    like silver purified in a crucible, 
    like gold refined seven times.

⁷ You, Lord, will keep the needy safe 
    and will protect us forever from the wicked, 
⁸ who freely strut about
    when what is vile is honored by the human race.