Psalm 12:3-15:3

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 Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; Masoretic Text earth 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 13In Hebrew texts 13:1-6 is numbered 13:2-6. 1For the director of music. A psalm of David. How 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.

Psalm 14 1For the director of music. Of David. The fool The Hebrew words rendered fool in Psalms denote one who is morally deficient. says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.

2The LORD looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.

3All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.

4Do all these evildoers know nothing? They devour my people as though eating bread; they never call on the LORD .

5But there they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous.

6You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the LORD is their refuge. 7Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

Psalm 15 1A psalm of David. LORD, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain?

2The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart;

3whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others;