Psalm 12 | New International Reader’s Version

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

1 Help, LORD! No one does what is right anymore. Those who are faithful have disappeared from the human race. 2 Everyone tells lies to their neighbours. With their lips they praise others, but they don’t really mean it. 3 May the LORD close all lips that don’t mean what they say. May he stop every tongue that boasts. 4 They say, ‘What we speak with our tongues will win the battle. What we say with our lips will keep us safe. No one will have victory over us.’ 5 The LORD says, ‘The poor are being robbed. Those who are in need groan. So I will stand up to help them. I will keep them safe from those who tell lies about them.’ 6 The words of the LORD are perfect. They are like silver made pure in a clay furnace. They are like gold made pure seven times over. 7 LORD, you will keep needy people safe. You will always keep sinners from hurting us. 8 Proud and sinful people walk around openly when the evil they do is praised by the human race.