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 L ORD 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 L ORD ; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.

6 - The words of the L ORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

7 - Thou shalt keep them, O L ORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

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