Psalm 12-14
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Psalm 12
Plea for Help in Evil Times
To the leader: according to The Sheminith. A Psalm of David.
1 Help, O Lord, for there is no longer anyone who is godly;
the faithful have disappeared from humankind.(A)
2 They utter lies to each other;
with flattering lips and a deceitful heart they speak.(B)
3 May the Lord cut off all flattering lips,
the tongue that makes great boasts,(C)
4 those who say, “With our tongues we will prevail;
our lips are our own—who is our master?”
5 “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)
6 The promises of the Lord are promises that are pure,
silver refined in a furnace on the ground,
purified seven times.(E)
7 You, O Lord, will protect us;
you will guard us from this generation forever.(F)
8 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.
1 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?(H)
2 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)
3 Consider and answer me, O Lord my God!
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,(J)
4 and my enemy will say, “I have prevailed”;
my foes will rejoice because I am shaken.(K)
5 But I trusted in your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.(L)
6 I will sing to the Lord
because he has dealt bountifully with me.(M)
Psalm 14
Denunciation of Godlessness
To the leader. Of David.
1 Fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt; they do abominable deeds;
there is no one who does good.(N)
2 The Lord looks down from heaven on humankind
to see if there are any who are wise,
who seek after God.(O)
3 They have all gone astray; they are all alike perverse;
there is no one who does good,
no, not one.(P)
4 Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers
who eat up my people as they eat bread
and do not call upon the Lord?(Q)
5 There they shall be in great terror,
for God is with the company of the righteous.(R)
6 You would confound the plans of the poor,
but the Lord is their refuge.(S)
7 O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion!
When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people,
Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.(T)
Footnotes
- 13.2 Syr: Heb hold counsels
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.