Psalms 12

1To the Overseer, on the octave. --A Psalm of David. Save, Jehovah, for the saintly hath failed, For the stedfast have ceased From the sons of men:

1Unto the end, a psalm for David. How long, O Lord, wilt thou forget me unto the end? how long dost thou turn away thy face from me?

1 Send help, Lord, for mercy has come to an end; there is no more faith among the children of men.

2Vanity they speak each with his neighbour, Lip of flattery! With heart and heart they speak.

2How long shall I take counsels in my soul, sorrow in my heart all the day?

2Everyone says false words to his neighbour: their tongues are smooth in their talk, and their hearts are full of deceit.

3Jehovah doth cut off all lips of flattery, A tongue speaking great things,

3How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

3The smooth lips and the tongue of pride will be cut off by the Lord.

4Who said, `By our tongue we do mightily: Our lips <FI>are<Fi> our own; who <FI>is<Fi> lord over us?'

4Consider, and hear me, O Lord, my God. Enlighten my eyes, that I never sleep in death:

4They have said, With our tongues will we overcome; our lips are ours: who is lord over us?

5Because of the spoiling of the poor, Because of the groaning of the needy, Now do I arise, saith Jehovah, I set in safety <FI>him who<Fi> doth breathe for it.

5Lest at any time my enemy say: I have prevailed against him. They that trouble me, will rejoice when I am moved:

5Because of the crushing of the poor and the weeping of those in need, now will I come to his help, says the Lord; I will give him the salvation which he is desiring.

6Sayings of Jehovah <FI>are<Fi> pure sayings; Silver tried in a furnace of earth refined sevenfold.

6But I have trusted in thy mercy. My heart shall rejoice in thy salvation: I will sing to the Lord, who giveth me good things: yea, I will sing to the name of the Lord, the most high.

6The words of the Lord are true words: like silver tested by fire and burned clean seven times.

7Thou, O Jehovah, dost preserve them, Thou keepest us from this generation to the age.

7(not in this translation)

7You will keep them, O Lord, you will keep them safe from this generation for ever.

8Around the wicked walk continually, According as vileness is exalted by sons of men!

8(not in this translation)

8The sinners are walking on every side, and evil is honoured among the children of men.