Psalm 12. Salvum me fac.

1. Help me, Lord, for there is no godly one left; *
   the faithful have vanished from among us.
2. Everyone speaks falsely with his neighbor; *
   with a smooth tongue they speak from a double heart.
3. Oh, that the Lord would cut off all smooth tongues, *
   and close the lips that utter proud boasts!
4. Those who say, "With our tongue will we prevail; *
   our lips are our own; who is lord over us?"
5. "Because the needy are oppressed, and the poor cry out in misery, *
   I will rise up," says the Lord, and give them the help they long for.
6. The words of the Lord are pure words, *
   like silver refined from ore and purified seven times in the fire.
7. O Lord, watch over us *
   and save us from this generation for ever.
8. The wicked prowl on every side, *
   and that which is worthless is highly prized by everyone.