Add parallel Print Page Options

Psalm 12

Plea for Help in Evil Times

To the leader: according to The Sheminith. A Psalm of David.

Help, O Lord, for there is no longer anyone who is godly;
    the faithful have disappeared from humankind.(A)
They utter lies to each other;
    with flattering lips and a deceitful heart they speak.(B)

May the Lord cut off all flattering lips,
    the tongue that makes great boasts,(C)
those who say, “With our tongues we will prevail;
    our lips are our own—who is our master?”

“Because the poor are despoiled, because the needy groan,
    I will now rise up,” says the Lord;
    “I will place them in the safety for which they long.”(D)
The promises of the Lord are promises that are pure,
    silver refined in a furnace on the ground,
    purified seven times.(E)

You, O Lord, will protect us;
    you will guard us from this generation forever.(F)
On every side the wicked prowl,
    as vileness is exalted among humankind.(G)

Psalm 13

Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies

To the leader. A Psalm of David.

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?
    How long will you hide your face from me?(H)
How long must I bear pain[a] in my soul
    and have sorrow in my heart all day long?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?(I)

Consider and answer me, O Lord my God!
    Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,(J)
and my enemy will say, “I have prevailed”;
    my foes will rejoice because I am shaken.(K)

But I trusted in your steadfast love;
    my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.(L)
I will sing to the Lord
    because he has dealt bountifully with me.(M)

Footnotes

  1. 13.2 Syr: Heb hold counsels

Psalm 12[a]

For the director of music. According to sheminith.[b] A psalm of David.

Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore;(A)
    those who are loyal have vanished from the human race.
Everyone lies(B) to their neighbor;
    they flatter with their lips
    but harbor deception in their hearts.(C)

May the Lord silence all flattering lips(D)
    and every boastful tongue—(E)
those who say,
    “By our tongues we will prevail;(F)
    our own lips will defend us—who is lord over us?”

“Because the poor are plundered(G) and the needy groan,(H)
    I will now arise,(I)” says the Lord.
    “I will protect them(J) from those who malign them.”
And the words of the Lord are flawless,(K)
    like silver purified(L) in a crucible,(M)
    like gold[c] refined seven times.

You, Lord, will keep the needy safe(N)
    and will protect us forever from the wicked,(O)
who freely strut(P) about
    when what is vile is honored by the human race.

Psalm 13[d]

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

How long,(Q) Lord? Will you forget me(R) forever?
    How long will you hide your face(S) from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts(T)
    and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
    How long will my enemy triumph over me?(U)

Look on me(V) and answer,(W) Lord my God.
    Give light to my eyes,(X) or I will sleep in death,(Y)
and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,(Z)
    and my foes will rejoice when I fall.(AA)

But I trust in your unfailing love;(AB)
    my heart rejoices in your salvation.(AC)
I will sing(AD) the Lord’s praise,
    for he has been good to me.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 12:1 In Hebrew texts 12:1-8 is numbered 12:2-9.
  2. Psalm 12:1 Title: Probably a musical term
  3. Psalm 12:6 Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; Masoretic Text earth
  4. Psalm 13:1 In Hebrew texts 13:1-6 is numbered 13:2-6.