12  For the musical director: a song by David to be played on the eight-stringed instrument.

1 Help, Yahweh, because faithful people seem to have disappeared.

≈ Those who have integrity have vanished from among humanity.

2 Everyone says empty words to their neighbours.

≈ Everyone speaks with flattering lips and deceitful motives.

3 Yahweh, cut off all those flattering lips,

≈ and every tongue that exaggerates.

4 These are those who have said, “With our tongues we’ll get whatever we want.

≈ When our lips speak, who can tell us what to do?”

5 Yahweh says, “I’ll take action

because of the violence against the poor and the groans of the needy.

I’ll provide the safety that they’ve been longing for.”

6 Yahweh’s words are pure words,

like silver purified in a furnace on the earth—

refined seven times over.

7 Yahweh, you will protect them.

Yes, forever protect us from this violent generation.

8 Wicked people prowl all around

when evil is promoted for humanity.