1 Help, O LORD, for there is no longer anyone who is godly; the faithful have disappeared from humankind.2 They utter lies to each other; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts,4 those who say, "With our tongues we will prevail; our lips are our own-- who is our master?"5 "Because the poor are despoiled, because the needy groan, I will now rise up," says the LORD; "I will place them in the safety for which they long."6 The promises of the LORD are promises that are pure, silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.7 You, O LORD, will protect us; you will guard us from this generation forever.8 On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among humankind.