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