12:1 *[For the director of music. According to sheminith.** A psalm of David.] Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore; those who are loyal have vanished from the human race. / *In Hebrew texts 12:1-8 is numbered 12:2-9. / **Title: Probably a musical term
12:2 Everyone lies to their neighbor; they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts.
12:3 May the Lord silence all flattering lips and every boastful tongue -
12:4 those who say, “By our tongues we will prevail; our own lips will defend us - who is lord over us?”
12:5 “Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the Lord. “I will protect them from those who malign them.”
12:6 And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold* refined seven times. / *Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; Masoretic Text earth
12:7 You, Lord, will keep the needy safe and will protect us forever from the wicked,
12:8 who freely strut about when what is vile is honored by the human race.