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Psalm 12

Plea for Help in Evil Times

To the leader: according to The Sheminith. A Psalm of David.

Help, O Lord, for there is no longer anyone who is godly;
    the faithful have disappeared from humankind.(A)
They utter lies to each other;
    with flattering lips and a deceitful heart they speak.(B)

May the Lord cut off all flattering lips,
    the tongue that makes great boasts,(C)
those who say, “With our tongues we will prevail;
    our lips are our own—who is our master?”

“Because the poor are despoiled, because the needy groan,
    I will now rise up,” says the Lord;
    “I will place them in the safety for which they long.”(D)
The promises of the Lord are promises that are pure,
    silver refined in a furnace on the ground,
    purified seven times.(E)

You, O Lord, will protect us;
    you will guard us from this generation forever.(F)
On every side the wicked prowl,
    as vileness is exalted among humankind.(G)

Psalm 13

Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies

To the leader. A Psalm of David.

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?
    How long will you hide your face from me?(H)
How long must I bear pain[a] in my soul
    and have sorrow in my heart all day long?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?(I)

Consider and answer me, O Lord my God!
    Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,(J)
and my enemy will say, “I have prevailed”;
    my foes will rejoice because I am shaken.(K)

But I trusted in your steadfast love;
    my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.(L)
I will sing to the Lord
    because he has dealt bountifully with me.(M)

Footnotes

  1. 13.2 Syr: Heb hold counsels