1 ¶ Help, LORD; for the merciful man ceases, for the faithful fail from among the children of men.

2 E ach one speaks vanity with his neighbour: they speak with flattering lips and with a double heart.

3 T he LORD shall cut off all flattering lips and the tongue that speaks proud things:

4 W ho have said, With our tongue we will prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?

5 F or the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now I will arise, saith the LORD; I will set in safety the one whom the wicked one has ensnared.

6 T he words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

7 T hou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

8 T he wicked press in on every side when the vilest men are exalted.