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.