PSALM 12

 

Help, O Lord,

for the devout are few

and the faithful have vanished

from among the children of men.

They speak deceptively

to each other, with

lying lips

and duplicitous hearts.

May the Lord cast off all

lying lips and

boastful tongues,

those who say:

"Let us strengthen our tongue,

our lips are with us,

who can be our master?"

"Because of the plundering of the poor

and the groans of the needy,

I will now rise up," says the Lord;

"and give them saving aid."

The words of the Lord

are pure;

they are silver tested in fire,

separated from soil,

and seven times refined.

You, O Lord, will keep them,

you will guard them

from this generation on

and forever.

The wicked shall roam on every side

when the vilest of men

are exalted.

Translation Copyright © 2023 by Donald C. Traxler.