1 H elp, Lord! For principled and godly people are here no more; faithfulness and the faithful vanish from among the sons of men.

2 T o his neighbor each one speaks words without use or worth or truth; with flattering lips and double heart they speak.

3 M ay the Lord cut off all flattering lips and the tongues that speak proud boasting,

4 T hose who say, With our tongues we prevail; our lips are our own —who is lord and master over us?

5 N ow will I arise, says the Lord, because the poor are oppressed, because of the groans of the needy; I will set him in safety and in the salvation for which he pants.

6 T he words and promises of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times over.

7 Y ou will keep them and preserve them, O Lord; You will guard and keep us from this generation forever.

8 T he wicked walk or prowl about on every side, as vileness is exalted among the sons of men.