PSALM 11 (12)

Save me, O Lord,
for the devout are few
and faithfulness has gone
from the sons of men.

They speak untruths
to each other, with
flattering lips
and duplicitous hearts.

May God remove all
deceitful lips and
boasting tongues,
those who say:
"By our tongues we are strong,
our lips are with us,
who can be our master?"

"Because of the plundering of the poor
and the moans of the needy,
I will rise up," says the Lord,
"and save them."

The words of the Lord
are sincere,
they are tested silver,
separated from the earth
and washed seven times.
You, O Lord, will guard us,
you will protect us
from this generation on
and forever.

The wicked prowl on every side
as baseness is exalted
among the sons of men.

Translation © 2015 by Donald C. Traxler