Psalms 12
The psalmist laments the decline of truth and holiness among men, who speak deceitfully and maliciously, believing they are above God's authority. The Lord responds by promising to arise and protect the poor and needy, and to preserve the faithful from the wicked. The psalmist affirms the purity and power of God's words, which are refined and trustworthy. The wicked, on the other hand, will wander aimlessly, while the righteous are multiplied and preserved by God.
1Unto the end. For the octave. A Psalm of David. Save me, O Lord, because holiness has passed away, because truths have been diminished, before the sons of men2They have been speaking emptiness, each one to his neighbor; they have been speaking with deceitful lips and a duplicitous heart3May the Lord scatter all deceitful lips, along with the tongue that speaks malice4They have said: "We will magnify our tongue; our lips belong to us. What is Lord to us?5Because of the misery of the destitute and the groaning of the poor, now I will arise, says the Lord. I will place him in safety. I will act faithfully toward him6The eloquence of the Lord is pure eloquence, silver tested by fire, purged from the earth, refined seven times7You, O Lord, will preserve us, and you will guard us from this generation into eternity8The impious wander aimlessly. According to your loftiness, you have multiplied the sons of men
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