Ps 12:1-8

1For the leader; “upon the eighth.” A psalm of David.

2Help, LORD, for no one loyal remains;

the faithful have vanished from the children of men.^a

3They tell lies to one another,

speak with deceiving lips and a double heart.^b

4May the LORD cut off all deceiving lips,

and every boastful tongue,

5Those who say, “By our tongues we prevail;

when our lips speak, who can lord it over us?”^c

6“Because they rob the weak, and the needy groan,

I will now arise,” says the LORD;

“I will grant safety to whoever longs for it.”^d

7The promises of the LORD are sure,

silver refined in a crucible,^*

silver purified seven times.^e

8You, O LORD, protect us always;

preserve us from this generation.