Psalm 12

 

12 Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.

² They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.

³ The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:

⁴ Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?

⁵ For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.

⁶ The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

⁷ Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

⁸ The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.

Prayer :

Abba Father, in a world where faithfulness seems to be in short supply and honesty is scarce, we turn to you, the unchanging and faithful God. Help us, O Lord, for the trustworthy seem to have vanished, and deceit abounds.

May your truth prevail over the lies that are spoken, and may you silence the flattering lips that harbour deception. We pray that you would guard our hearts against the allure of false promises and manipulative words.

Lord, arise on behalf of the poor and the needy who are often exploited and oppressed. Protect them from those who would harm and malign them. Your words are flawless, and we find refuge in your promises that are as pure as silver refined in a crucible.

You, Lord, are the defender of the needy and the protector of the oppressed. Keep us safe from the schemes of the wicked, and may justice prevail in a world where what is vile is sometimes honored. Help us to stand firm in your truth and to live with integrity in all that we do.

In the name of Jesus, we pray.

Amen.