1 Help, Lord, for no one is faithful any more;those who are loyal have vanished from the human race.
2 Everyone lies to their neighbour;they flatter with their lipsbut harbour deception in their hearts.
3 May the Lord silence all flattering lipsand every boastful tongue –
4 those who say,‘By our tongues we will prevail;our own lips will defend us – who is lord over us?’
5 ‘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.’
6 And the words of the Lord are flawless,like silver purified in a crucible,like gold refined seven times.
7 You, Lord, will keep the needy safeand will protect us for ever from the wicked,
8 who freely strut aboutwhen what is vile is honoured by the human race.