Psalm 12 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

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

  1. 12.1 : Isa 57.1
  2. 12.2 : 1 Chr 12.33; Ps 41.6; 55.21
  3. 12.3 : Ps 73.8, 9
  4. 12.5 : Ps 3.7; 10.18; 34.6
  5. 12.6 : Ps 18.30; Prov 30.5
  6. 12.7 : Ps 37.28
  7. 12.8 : Ps 55.10, 11