Psalms 12 WEB
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, Yahweh; for the godly man ceases. For the faithful fail from among the children of men.
2Everyone lies to his neighbor. They speak with flattering lips, and with a double heart.
3May Yahweh cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that boasts,
4who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail. Our lips are our own. Who is lord over us?”
5“Because of the oppression of the weak and because of the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,” says Yahweh; “I will set him in safety from those who malign him.”
6Yahweh’s words are flawless words, as silver refined in a clay furnace, purified seven times.
7You will keep them, Yahweh. You will preserve them from this generation forever.
8The wicked walk on every side, when what is vile is exalted among the sons of men.
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