12
1 For the choirmaster. According to Sheminith.*12:1 Sheminith is probably a musical term; here and in 1 Chronicles 15:21 and Psalm 6:1. A Psalm of David.
2 Help, O LORD, for the godly are no more;
the faithful have vanished from among men.
3 They lie to one another;
they speak with flattering lips and a double heart.
4 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips
and every boastful tongue.
5 They say, “With our tongues we will prevail.
We own our lips—who can be our master?”
6 “For the cause of the oppressed
and for the groaning of the needy,
I will now arise,” says the LORD.
“I will bring safety to him who yearns.”
7 The words of the LORD are flawless,
like silver refined in a furnace of clay,
purified sevenfold.†12:7 A proposed emendation reads like silver refined in a furnace, like gold purified sevenfold
8 You, O LORD, will keep them;
you will forever guard him‡12:8 LXX keep us … guard us from this generation.
9 The wicked wander freely,
and vileness is exalted among men.
*12:1 12:1 Sheminith is probably a musical term; here and in 1 Chronicles 15:21 and Psalm 6:1.
†12:7 12:7 A proposed emendation reads like silver refined in a furnace, like gold purified sevenfold
‡12:8 12:8 LXX keep us … guard us