Psalms 12

Read on churchofjesuschrist.org (with footnotes)

1Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 1

In that day thou shalt help, O Lord, the poor and the meek of the earth. For the godly man shall cease to be found, and the faithful fail from among the children of men.
IV v. 1 (Inspired Version, 1867)

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

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 2

They shall speak vanity, everyone with his neighbor; with flattering lips, with a double heart do they speak.
IV v. 2 (Inspired Version, 1867)

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

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 3

But the Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that speaketh proud things,
IV v. 3 (Inspired Version, 1867)

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

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 4

Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own. Who shall be Lord over us?
IV v. 4 (Inspired Version, 1867)

5For 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.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 5

Therefore, thus saith the Lord, I will arise in that day; I will stand upon the earth, and I will judge the earth for the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy; and their cry hath entered into mine ear.
IV v. 5 (Inspired Version, 1867)

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

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 6

Therefore, the Lord shall sit in judgment upon all those who say in their hearts, We all sit in safety, and puffeth at him. These are the words of the Lord, yea, pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
IV v. 6 (Inspired Version, 1867)

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

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 7

Thou shalt save thy people, O Lord; thou shalt keep them; thou shalt preserve them from the wickedness of their generations forever.
IV v. 7 (Inspired Version, 1867)

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

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 8

The wicked walk on every side, and the vilest men are exalted; but in the day of their pride thou shalt visit them.
IV v. 8 (Inspired Version, 1867)

Also cited in commentary

2 Nephi 13 — Isaiah 3 — The Stay and the Staff Removed, and the Daughters of Zion
- Where this lands
2 Nephi 28 — False Churches in the Latter Days — The Lull of Carnal Security, the Few Stripes, the Line upon Line
- Where this lands
2 Nephi 33 — Nephi's Farewell — The Power of the Words, the Face-to-Face Meeting, the Pleasing Bar
- Where this lands
3 Nephi 24 — Like a Refiner's Fire — The Messenger of the Covenant and the Windows of Heaven
- How the chapter is built
- The book of remembrance and God's jewels
Helaman 2 — Expert in Many Words — Gadianton Rises and a Servant Saves the Seat
- Gadianton escapes, and Mormon sounds the alarm
- How the chapter is built
Jacob 7 — Sherem the Anti-Christ — Jacob's Final Confrontation, the Sign Demanded, and the Wandering People
- Where this lands

Cross-references are extracted from the project’s chapter essays — every link below points back into the original prose.

Public-domain text. The modern LDS edition with footnotes and chapter summaries is available on churchofjesuschrist.org ↗.

Study

Joseph Smith Translation

v. 1
In that day thou shalt help, O Lord, the poor and the meek of the earth. For the godly man shall cease to be found, and the faithful fail from among the children of men.
v. 2
They shall speak vanity, everyone with his neighbor; with flattering lips, with a double heart do they speak.
v. 3
But the Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that speaketh proud things,
v. 4
Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own. Who shall be Lord over us?
v. 5
Therefore, thus saith the Lord, I will arise in that day; I will stand upon the earth, and I will judge the earth for the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy; and their cry hath entered into mine ear.
v. 6
Therefore, the Lord shall sit in judgment upon all those who say in their hearts, We all sit in safety, and puffeth at him. These are the words of the Lord, yea, pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
v. 7
Thou shalt save thy people, O Lord; thou shalt keep them; thou shalt preserve them from the wickedness of their generations forever.
v. 8
The wicked walk on every side, and the vilest men are exalted; but in the day of their pride thou shalt visit them.