Psalms, Chapter 12
This is Psalms, chapter 12, a sacred text in the Judaism tradition. You can read it here verse by verse for free, listen to it read aloud, and follow cross-references that connect its themes to other traditions.
For the leader; on the sheminith. A psalm of David.
Help, O ETERNAL One!For the faithful are no more;the loyal have vanished from among mortals.
People speak lies to one another;their speech is smooth;they talk with duplicity.
May GOD cut off all flattering lips,every tongue that speaks arrogance.
They say, “By our tongues we shall prevail;with lips such as ours, who can be our master?”
“Because of the groans of the plundered poor and needy,I will now act,” says GOD.“I will give help,” [God] affirms to them.a“I will give help,” [God] affirms to them Meaning of Heb. uncertain.
GOD’s words are pure words,silver purged in an earthen crucible,refined sevenfold.
You, O ETERNAL One, will keep them,guarding each from this agebfrom this age Meaning of Heb. uncertain. evermore.
On every side the wicked roamwhen baseness is exalted among mortals.cwhen baseness is exalted among mortals Meaning of Heb. uncertain.
✦ Connected Across Traditions
Good vs Evil / Light vs Darkness
Yasna 30:3
“Now the two primal Spirits, who reveal themselves as Twins, are the Better and the Bad, in thought and word and action.”
John 1:5
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
Dhammapada 1:1-2
“Mind is the forerunner of all actions. If one speaks or acts with a pure mind, happiness follows like a shadow.”
Bhagavad Gita 16:21
“There are three gates to self-destructive hell: lust, anger, and greed. Therefore, one must learn to give these up.”