Psalms
Chapter 12

1

¹ For the leader; "upon the eighth." A psalm of David.

2

Help, LORD, for no one loyal remains; the faithful have vanished from the human race

3

Those who tell lies to one another speak with deceiving lips and a double heart.

4

May the LORD cut off all deceiving lips, and every boastful tongue,

5

Those who say, "By our tongues we prevail; when our lips speak, who can lord it over us?"

6

"Because they rob the weak, and the needy groan, I will now arise," says the LORD; "I will grant safety to whoever longs for it."

7

² The promises of the LORD are sure, silver refined in a crucible, silver purified seven times.

8

LORD, protect us always; preserve us from this generation.

9

On every side the wicked strut; the shameless are extolled by all.

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Footnotes

¹ [Psalm 12] A lament. The psalmist, thrown into a world where lying and violent people persecute the just (Psalm 12:2-3), prays that the wicked be punished (Psalm 12:4-5). The prayer is not simply for vengeance but arises from a desire to see God's justice appear on earth. Psalm 12:6 preserves the word of assurance spoken by the priest to the lamenter; it is not usually transmitted in such psalms. In Psalm 12:7-8 the psalmist affirms the intention to live by the word of assurance.

² [Psalm 13] A crucible: lit. "in a crucible in the ground." The crucible was placed in the ground for support.

New American Bible Copyright © 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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