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Psalm 12
Evangelical Heritage Version

Psalm 12

Proud Words vs. Pure Words

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For the choir director. According to sheminith.[a] A psalm by David.

The Proud Words of the Ungodly

1 Save us, Lord, for the merciful have disappeared.
The faithful have vanished from among mankind.

2 Everyone speaks falsehood to his neighbor.
Their flattering lips speak double-talk.[b]
3 May the Lord cut off all flattering lips.
May he cut off every tongue that speaks boastfully,
4 which says, “With our tongues we will establish our power.
We say what we please.[c] Who is lord over us?”

The Pure Words of the Lord

5 “Because of the destruction of the oppressed,
because of the groaning of the poor,
now I will rise up,” says the Lord.
“I will keep him safe from the one who puffs against him.”[d]
6 The words of the Lord are pure words,
like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.
7 You, Lord, will keep them safe.
You will protect them from such people forever.
8 The wicked strut around
    when depravity is honored by the children of Adam.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 12:1 Sheminith is apparently derived from the Hebrew word for eight. It may refer to an eight-stringed instrument, to the bass voice, to low-pitched stringed instruments, or, most likely, to a method for tuning a stringed instrument (1 Chronicles 15:21).
  2. Psalm 12:2 Literally speak with a heart and a heart
  3. Psalm 12:4 Literally our lips are with us
  4. Psalm 12:5 Or in the safety he desires
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Psalm 12
New International Version

Psalm 12[a]

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

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

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

5 “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.”
6 And the words of the Lord are flawless,(K)
    like silver purified(L) in a crucible,(M)
    like gold[c] refined seven times.

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

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
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The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.

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