1 For the leader. Onsh’minit[low-pitched musical instruments?]. A psalm of David:
2 Help,Adonai! For no one godly is left;
the faithful have vanished from humankind.
3 They all tell lies to each other,
flattering with their lips, but speaking from divided hearts.
4 MayAdonaicut off all flattering lips
and the tongue that speaks so proudly,
5 those who say, “By our tongues, we will prevail;
our lips are with us. Who can master us?”
6 “Because the poor are oppressed,
because the needy are groaning,
I will now rise up,” saysAdonai,
“and grant security to those whom they scorn.”
7 The words ofAdonaiare pure words,
silver in a melting-pot set in the earth,
refined and purified seven times over.
8 You,Adonai, protect us;
guard us forever from this generation —
9 the wicked strut about everywhere
when vileness is held in general esteem.