The Godly Are No More

For the choirmaster. According to Sheminith.[fn] A Psalm of David.

Help, O LORD, for the godly are no more;

the faithful have vanished from among men.

2 

They lie to one another;

they speak with flattering lips [and] a double heart

3 

May the LORD cut off all flattering lips

and [every] boastful tongue.

4 

They say,“With our tongues we will prevail.

We own our lips— who can be our master

5 

“For the cause of the oppressed

and for the groaning of the needy,

I will now arise,” says the LORD.

“I will bring safety to him who yearns.”

6 

The words of the LORD are flawless

like silver refined in a furnace,

like gold purified sevenfold.[fn]

7 

You, O LORD, will keep us;

You will forever guard us from this generation.

8 

The wicked wander freely,

and vileness is exalted among men.