To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David.

1 Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; For the faithful fail from among the children of men.

2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: With flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.

3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, And the tongue that speaketh proud things:

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

5 For the oppression of the poor, For the sighing of the needy, Now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.

6 The words of the LORD are pure words: As silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, Thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

8 The wicked walk on every side, When the vilest men are exalted.