Psalm 12 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Psalm 12
Plea for Help in Evil Times
To the leader: according to The Sheminith. A Psalm of David.
1 Help, O Lord, for there is no longer anyone who is godly;
the faithful have disappeared from humankind.(A)
2 They utter lies to each other;
with flattering lips and a deceitful heart they speak.(B)
3 May the Lord cut off all flattering lips,
the tongue that makes great boasts,(C)
4 those who say, “With our tongues we will prevail;
our lips are our own—who is our master?”
5 “Because the poor are despoiled, because the needy groan,
I will now rise up,” says the Lord;
“I will place them in the safety for which they long.”(D)
6 The promises of the Lord are promises that are pure,
silver refined in a furnace on the ground,
purified seven times.(E)
7 You, O Lord, will protect us;
you will guard us from this generation forever.(F)
8 On every side the wicked prowl,
as vileness is exalted among humankind.(G)
Cross references
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.