(A psalm by David for the music leader.Psalm 12 leader: The Hebrew text adds “according to the sheminith”, which may be a musical instrument with eight strings.)

A prayer for help

1Please help me, LORD!

All who were faithful

and all who were loyal

have disappeared.

2Everyone tells lies,

and no one is sincere.

3Won't you chop off

all flattering tongues

that boast so loudly?

4They say to themselves,

“We are great speakers.

No one else has a chance.”

5But you, LORD, tell them,

“I will do something!

The poor are ill-treated

and helpless people moan.

I'll rescue all who suffer.”

6Our LORD, you are true

to your promises,

and your word is like silver

heated seven times

in a fiery furnace.12.6 in a fiery furnace: The Hebrew text has “in a furnace to the ground”, which may describe part of a process for refining silver in Old Testament times.

7You will protect us

and always keep us safe

from those people.

8But all who are wicked

will keep on strutting,

while everyone praises

their shameless deeds.12.8 while…deeds: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.