Psalm 12

Salvum me fac

1

Help me, Lord, for there is no godly one left; *

the faithful have vanished from among us.

2

Everyone speaks falsely with his neighbor; *

with a smooth tongue they speak from a double heart.

3

Oh, that the Lord would cut off all smooth tongues, *

and close the lips that utter proud boasts!

4

Those who say, “With our tongue will we prevail; *

our lips are our own; who is lord over us?”

5

“Because the needy are oppressed,

and the poor cry out in misery, *

I will rise up,” says the Lord,

“and give them the help they long for.”

6

The words of the Lord are pure words, *

like silver refined from ore

and purified seven times in the fire.

7

O Lord, watch over us *

and save us from this generation for ever.

8

The wicked prowl on every side, *

and that which is worthless is highly prized by everyone.

Psalm 13

Usquequo, Domine?

1

How long, O Lord?

will you forget me for ever? *

how long will you hide your face from me?

2

How long shall I have perplexity in my mind,

and grief in my heart, day after day? *

how long shall my enemy triumph over me?

3

Look upon me and answer me, O Lord my God; *

give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death;

4

Lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” *

and my foes rejoice that I have fallen.

5

But I put my trust in your mercy; *

my heart is joyful because of your saving help.

6

I will sing to the Lord, for he has dealt with me richly; *

I will praise the Name of the Lord Most High.

Psalm 14

Dixit insipiens

1

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” *

All are corrupt and commit abominable acts;

there is none who does any good.

2

The Lord looks down from heaven upon us all, *

to see if there is any who is wise,

if there is one who seeks after God.

3

Every one has proved faithless;

all alike have turned bad; *

there is none who does good; no, not one.

4

Have they no knowledge, all those evildoers *

who eat up my people like bread

and do not call upon the Lord?

5

See how they tremble with fear, *

because God is in the company of the righteous.

6

Their aim is to confound the plans of the afflicted, *

but the Lord is their refuge.

7

Oh, that Israel’s deliverance would come out of Zion! *

when the Lord restores the fortunes of his people,

Jacob will rejoice and Israel be glad.