Psalm 12

Klagan över den växande ondskan

För sångmästaren enligt sheminit. En psalm av David.

Fräls, Herre, ty de fromma är borta,
de trofasta har försvunnit från människors barn.
De talar lögn, den ene med den andre,
med hala läppar och dubbelt hjärta talar de.
Herre, utrota alla hala läppar,
    den tunga som talar stora ord.
De säger:
    "Genom vår tunga är vi starka,
våra läppar hjälper oss,
    vem är herre över oss?"

"Eftersom de svaga utsätts för våld
    och de fattiga klagar,
vill jag nu gripa in", säger Herren,
    "jag skall ge frälsning åt den som längtar därefter."
Herrens tal är ett rent tal,
    likt silver som rinner ner på jorden,
luttrat i degeln, renat sju gånger.
Du, Herre, skall bevara dem,
    du skall för evigt beskydda dem för detta släkte.
Runt omkring drar ogudaktiga fram,
när uselhet prisas av människors barn.

12 Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.

They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.

The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:

Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?

For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.

The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.

Man’s Treachery and God’s Constancy

To the Chief Musician. (A)On [a]an eight-stringed harp. A Psalm of David.

12 Help,[b] Lord, for the godly man (B)ceases!
For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men.
(C)They speak idly everyone with his neighbor;
With flattering lips and [c]a double heart they speak.

May the Lord [d]cut off all flattering lips,
And the tongue that speaks [e]proud things,
Who have said,
“With our tongue we will prevail;
Our lips are our own;
Who is lord over us?”

“For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy,
Now I will arise,” says the Lord;
“I will set him in the safety for which he yearns.”

The words of the Lord are (D)pure words,
Like silver tried in a furnace of earth,
Purified seven times.
You shall keep them, O Lord,
You shall preserve them from this generation forever.

The wicked prowl on every side,
When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 12:1 Heb. sheminith
  2. Psalm 12:1 Save
  3. Psalm 12:2 An inconsistent mind
  4. Psalm 12:3 destroy
  5. Psalm 12:3 great