Psalm 12

English Standard Version

1 To the choirmaster: according to The Sheminith.[1] A Psalm of David. Save, O Lord, for the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man. (Isa 57:1; Mic 7:2)2 Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak. (1Ch 12:33; Ps 5:9; Ps 41:6; Ps 144:8; Jer 9:8; Ro 16:18; Jas 1:8)3 May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts, (Ps 12:2; Ps 17:10; Da 7:8; Re 13:5)4 those who say, “With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are with us; who is master over us?”5 “Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the Lord; “I will place him in the safety for which he longs.” (Ps 9:12; Ps 55:18; Ps 82:8; Isa 33:10)6 The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times. (Ps 18:30; Ps 19:8; Ps 119:140; Pr 30:5)7 You, O Lord, will keep them; you will guard us[2] from this generation forever.8 On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the children of man.