Psalm 12 - New International Version (Anglicised)

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 neighbour; they flatter with their lips but harbour 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 for ever from the wicked,

⁸ who freely strut about when what is vile is honoured by the human race.