Psalms 12 YLT
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.
1To the Overseer, on the octave. --A Psalm of David. Save, Jehovah, for the saintly hath failed, For the stedfast have ceased From the sons of men:
2Vanity they speak each with his neighbour, Lip of flattery! With heart and heart they speak.
3Jehovah doth cut off all lips of flattery, A tongue speaking great things,
4Who said, `By our tongue we do mightily: Our lips are our own; who is lord over us?'
5Because of the spoiling of the poor, Because of the groaning of the needy, Now do I arise, saith Jehovah, I set in safety him who doth breathe for it.
6Sayings of Jehovah are pure sayings; Silver tried in a furnace of earth refined sevenfold.
7Thou, O Jehovah, dost preserve them, Thou keepest us from this generation to the age.
8Around the wicked walk continually, According as vileness is exalted by sons of men!
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