Psalms 12

Oppression by the Wicked

For the choir director: according to •Sheminith. A Davidic psalm.

1Help, Lord, for no faithful one remains; the loyal have disappeared from the human race.

2They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and deceptive hearts.

3May the Lord cut off all flattering lips and the tongue that speaks boastfully.

4They say, "Through our tongues we have power; our lips are our own — who can be our master? "

5"Because of the oppression of the afflicted and the groaning of the poor, I will now rise up," says the Lord. "I will put the one who longs for it in a safe place."

6The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times.

7You, Lord, will guard us; You will protect us from this generation forever.

8The wicked wander everywhere, and what is worthless is exalted by the human race.