12 1 The Prophet lamenting the miserable estate of the people, and the decay of all good order, desireth God speedily to send succor to his children. 7 Then comforting himself, and others with the assurance of God’s help, he commendeth the constant verity that God observeth in keeping his promises.
To him that excelleth upon the eight tune. A Psalm of David.
1 Help Lord, for there is not [a]a godly man left: for the faithful are failed from among the children of men.
2 They speak deceitfully every one with his neighbor, [b]flattering with their lips, and speak with a double heart.
3 The Lord cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:
4 Which have said, [c]With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own; who is Lord over us?
5 [d]Now for the oppression of the needy, and for the sighs of the poor, I will up, saith the Lord, and will [e]set at liberty him, whom the wicked hath [snared].
6 The words of the Lord are pure words, as the silver, tried in a furnace of earth, fined sevenfold.
7 Thou wilt keep [f]them, O Lord; thou wilt preserve him from this generation forever.
8 The wicked walk on every side; when they are exalted, [g]it is a shame for the sons of men.
Footnotes
- Psalm 12:1 Which dare defend the truth and show mercy to the oppressed.
- Psalm 12:2 He meaneth the flatterers of the court which hurt him more with their tongues, than with their weapons.
- Psalm 12:4 They think themselves able to persuade whatsoever they take in hand.
- Psalm 12:5 The Lord is moved with the complaints of his, and delivereth in the end from all dangers.
- Psalm 12:5 Because the Lord’s word and promise is true and unchangeable, he will perform it and preserve the poor from this wicked generation.
- Psalm 12:7 That is, thine though he were but one man.
- Psalm 12:8 For they suppress the godly and maintain the wicked.