Psalm, 12

To the director; tuned to Shemʹi·nith.^*1 A melody of David.

¹ Save me, O Jehovah, for the loyal one is no more; Faithful people have vanished from among men.

² They speak lies to one another; They flatter with their lips^*1 and speak with deceitful hearts.^*2

³ Jehovah will cut off all flattering lips And the tongue that makes great boasts,

⁴ Those who say: “We will prevail with our tongues. We use our lips as we please; Who will be our master?”

⁵ “Because the afflicted are oppressed, Because of the sighing of the poor, I will rise up to act,” says Jehovah. “I will save them from those who treat them with contempt.”^*1

⁶ The sayings of Jehovah are pure; They are like silver refined in an earthen furnace,^*1 purified seven times.

⁷ You will guard them, O Jehovah; You will protect each one of them from this generation forever.

⁸ The wicked walk around unrestrained Because the sons of men promote depravity.