Psalm 12-13

Psalm 12

1Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore;

those who are loyal have vanished from the human race.

2Everyone lies to their neighbor;

they flatter with their lips

but harbor deception in their hearts.

3May the Lord silence all flattering lips

and every boastful tongue—

4those 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.”

6And the words of the Lord are flawless,

like silver purified in a crucible,

like gold refined seven times.

7You, Lord, will keep the needy safe

and will protect us forever from the wicked,

8who freely strut about

when what is vile is honored by the human race.

Psalm 13

1How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?

How long will you hide your face from me?

2How long must I wrestle with my thoughts

and day after day have sorrow in my heart?

How long will my enemy triumph over me?

3Look on me and answer, Lord my God.

Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,

4and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”

and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

5But I trust in your unfailing love;

my heart rejoices in your salvation.

6I will sing the Lord’s praise,

for he has been good to me.