The Pure Words of the Lord

1 For the choir director: according to . ⓚ A psalm of David. [1] Help, LORD, for no faithful one remains; the loyal have disappeared from the human race. [1] ⓛ

2 They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and deceptive hearts. ⓜ

3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and the tongue that speaks boastfully. ⓝ

4 They say, “Through our tongues we have power; our lips are our own — who can be our master?” ⓐ

5 “Because of the devastation of the needy and the groaning of the poor, I will now rise up,” says the LORD. “I will provide safety for the one who longs for it.” ⓑ

6 The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times. ⓒ

7 You, LORD, will guard us; [2] you will protect us [3] from this generation forever. ⓓ

8 The wicked prowl [4] all around, and what is worthless is exalted by the human race. ⓔ