[1] Help, LORD! No one does what is right anymore. Those who are faithful have disappeared from the human race. [2] Everyone tells lies to their neighbors. With their lips they praise others, but they don’t really mean it. [3] May the LORD close all lips that don’t mean what they say. May he stop every tongue that brags. [4] They say, “What we speak with our tongues will win the battle. What we say with our lips will keep us safe. No one will have victory over us.” [5] The LORD says, “The poor are being robbed. Those who are in need groan. So I will stand up to help them. I will keep them safe from those who tell lies about them.” [6] The words of the LORD are perfect. They are like silver made pure in a clay furnace. They are like gold made pure seven times over. [7] LORD, you will keep needy people safe. You will always keep sinners from hurting us. [8] Proud and sinful people walk around openly when the evil they do is praised by the human race.
