Psalms 12: The LORD's Pure Words
A complaint about deceit answered by trust in God's promises.
Following Psalms 11, David laments that godly, faithful people have grown rare while everyone around him speaks with flattering lips and a double heart. He asks the LORD to cut off proud, boastful speech that claims no one rules over it.
To 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:
Vanity they speak each with his neighbour, Lip of flattery! With heart and heart they speak.
Jehovah doth cut off all lips of flattery, A tongue speaking great things,
Who said, `By our tongue we do mightily: Our lips `are' our own; who `is' lord over us?'
Because 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.
Sayings of Jehovah `are' pure sayings; Silver tried in a furnace of earth refined sevenfold.
Thou, O Jehovah, dost preserve them, Thou keepest us from this generation to the age.
Around the wicked walk continually, According as vileness is exalted by sons of men!