Psalm 12

1 Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore;
    those who are loyal have vanished from the human race.
2 Everyone lies to their neighbor;
    they flatter with their lips
    but harbor deception in their hearts.

3 May the Lord silence all flattering lips
    and 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 safe
    and will protect us forever from the wicked,
8 who freely strut about
    when what is vile is honored by the human race.

Observation Questions

Why is the Lord cried out to for help in verse 1?

Who lies to their neighbor according to verse 2?

Who flatters with their lips according to verse 2?

Who harbors deception in their hearts according to verse 2?

Are the words of the Lord flawless? (verse 6)

Who will keep the needy safe? (verse 7)