12 (L) THE VANITY OF MAN. (Introversion and Alternation.)

L P         1 Decrease of the godly and faithful.
              1. Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.
    Q r     2 Man's words.
              2. They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.
        s   3,4 The speakers. "Cut off."
              3. The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:
              4. Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?
          R 5∼ The oppression of the humble.
              5∼. For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD;
          R ∼5 Deliverance from the oppression.
              ∼5. I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.
    Q r     6 Jehovah's words.
              6. The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
        s   7 The hearers. "Preserved."
              7. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
  P         8 Increase of the lawless and vile.
              8. The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.