Psalms of Life

Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore;
those who are loyal have vanished from the human race.
Everyone lies to their neighbor;
they flatter with their lips
but harbor deception in their hearts.
May the Lord silence all flattering lips
and every boastful tongue—
those who say,
“By our tongues we will prevail;
our own lips will defend us—who is lord over us?”
 
“Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan,
I will now arise,” says the Lord.
“I will protect them from those who malign them.”

And the words of the Lord are flawless,
like silver purified in a crucible,
like gold refined seven times.
You, Lord, will keep the needy safe
and will protect us forever from the wicked,
who freely strut about
when what is vile is honored by the human race. Psalm 12

 

Hear me, my God, as I voice my complaint;

protect my life from the threat of the enemy.

Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked,

from the plots of evildoers.

They sharpen their tongues like swords

and aim cruel words like deadly arrows.

They shoot from ambush at the innocent;

they shoot suddenly, without fear.

They encourage each other in evil plans,

they talk about hiding their snares;

they say, “Who will see it?”

They plot injustice and say,

“We have devised a perfect plan!”

Surely the human mind and heart are cunning.

But God will shoot them with his arrows;

they will suddenly be struck down.

He will turn their own tongues against them

and bring them to ruin;

all who see them will shake their heads in scorn.

All people will fear;

they will proclaim the works of God

and ponder what he has done.

The righteous will rejoice in the Lord

and take refuge in him;

all the upright in heart will glory in him!  

Psalm 64 (NIV)