otcanon
Psalms 12
The psalmist cries to Jehovah from a generation where faithfulness has nearly vanished and flattery rules the public tongue. Jehovah answers: because the poor are oppressed and the needy groan, He will arise and set them in safety — His word against theirs. That word is contrasted sharply with the corrupt speech filling the land: silver refined seven times in the furnace, not the dross of double-hearted men. The closing verse names the condition that produces this crisis — when the vilest men are exalted, wickedness occupies every side. Covenant faithfulness and pure speech belong to Jehovah alone; the generation that abandons both is already judged.
1
Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.
2
They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.
3
The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:
4
Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?
5
For 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.
6
The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
7
Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
8
The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.
