12 ⁽⁰⁾ For the leader. On sh’minit [low-pitched musical instruments?]. A psalm of David:

^2 (1) Help, Adonai! For no one godly is left;
the faithful have vanished from humankind.
^3 (2) They all tell lies to each other,
flattering with their lips, but speaking from divided hearts.

^4 (3) May Adonai cut off all flattering lips
and the tongue that speaks so proudly,
^5 (4) those who say, “By our tongues, we will prevail;
our lips are with us. Who can master us?”
^6 (5) “Because the poor are oppressed,
because the needy are groaning,
I will now rise up,” says Adonai,
“and grant security to those whom they scorn.”
^7 (6) The words of Adonai are pure words,
silver in a melting-pot set in the earth,
refined and purified seven times over.

^8 (7) You, Adonai, protect us;
guard us forever from this generation —
^9 (8) the wicked strut about everywhere
when vileness is held in general esteem.

13 ⁽⁰⁾ For the leader. A psalm of David:

^2 (1) How long, Adonai?
Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
^3 (2) How long must I keep asking myself what to do,
with sorrow in my heart every day?
How long must my enemy dominate me?

^4 (3) Look, and answer me, Adonai my God!
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death.
^5 (4) Then my enemy would say, “I was able to beat him”;
and my adversaries would rejoice at my downfall.

^6 (5) But I trust in your grace,
my heart rejoices as you bring me to safety.
⁽⁶⁾ I will sing to Adonai, because he gives me
even more than I need.

14 ⁽⁰⁾ For the leader. By David:

⁽¹⁾ Fools say in their hearts,
“There is no God.”
They deal corruptly, their deeds are vile,
not one does what is right.

² From heaven Adonai observes humankind
to see if anyone has understanding,
if anyone seeks God.
³ But all turn aside, all alike are corrupt;
no one does what is right,
not a single one.
⁴ Don’t they ever learn,
all those evildoers,
who eat up my people as if eating bread
and never call on Adonai?
⁵ There they are, utterly terrified;
for God is with those who are righteous.
⁶ You may mock the plans of the poor,
but their refuge is Adonai.

⁷ How I wish Isra’el’s salvation
would come out of Tziyon!
When Adonai restores his people’s fortunes,
Ya‘akov will rejoice, Isra’el will be glad!