Psalms 12 KJV
Summary: A lament over a society corrupted by flattery and lies, Psalm 12 laments that "the godly one is gone" and that people speak with "flattering lips" and a "double heart" (v. 1-2). Against this backdrop of deceit, the psalmist praises the reliability of God's own speech: "the words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace... purified seven times" (v. 6). It closes with a sober note that the wicked still strut about even as God promises protection for the poor.
1Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.
2They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.
3The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:
4Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?
5For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.
6The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
7Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
8The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.
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