North Carolina

1 Psalm 12 For the director of music. According to sheminith. [1] A psalm of David.

1 Help, LORD, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men.

2 Everyone lies to his neighbor; their flattering lips speak with deception.

3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue

4 that says, "We will triumph with our tongues; we own our lips [2] --who is our master?"

5 "Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise," says the LORD. "I will protect them from those who malign them."

6 And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.

7 O LORD, you will keep us safe and protect us from such people forever.

8 The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men.