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Psalm 28[a]

Petition and Thanksgiving

Of David.

I

To you, Lord, I call;
    my Rock, do not be deaf to me,(A)
Do not be silent toward me,
    so that I join those who go down to the pit.(B)
Hear the sound of my pleading when I cry to you for help
    when I lift up my hands toward your holy place.[b](C)
Do not drag me off with the wicked,
    with those who do wrong,(D)
Who speak peace to their neighbors
    though evil is in their hearts.(E)
Repay them for their deeds,
    for the evil that they do.
For the work of their hands repay them;
    give them what they deserve.(F)
Because they do not understand the Lord’s works,
    the work of his hands,(G)
He will tear them down,
    never to rebuild them.

II

[c]Blessed be the Lord,
    who has heard the sound of my pleading.
The Lord is my strength and my shield,
    in whom my heart trusts.
I am helped, so my heart rejoices;
    with my song I praise him.

III

[d]Lord, you are a strength for your people,
    the saving refuge of your anointed.
Save your people, bless your inheritance;
    pasture and carry them forever!

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 28 A lament asking that the psalmist, who has taken refuge in the Temple (Ps 28:2), not be punished with the wicked, who are headed inevitably toward destruction (Ps 28:1, 3–5). The statement of praise is exceptionally lengthy and vigorous (Ps 28:6–7). The Psalm ends with a prayer (Ps 28:8–9).
  2. 28:2 Your holy place: the innermost part of the Temple, the holy of holies, containing the ark, cf. 1 Kgs 6:16, 19–23; 8:6–8.
  3. 28:6 The psalmist shifts to fervent thanksgiving, probably responding to a priestly or prophetic oracle in Ps 28:5cd (not usually transmitted) assuring the worshiper that the prayer has been heard.
  4. 28:8 Your people…your anointed: salvation is more than individual, affecting all the people and their God-given leader.

Psalm 28

Of David.

To you, Lord, I call;
    you are my Rock,
    do not turn a deaf ear(A) to me.
For if you remain silent,(B)
    I will be like those who go down to the pit.(C)
Hear my cry for mercy(D)
    as I call to you for help,
as I lift up my hands(E)
    toward your Most Holy Place.(F)

Do not drag me away with the wicked,
    with those who do evil,
who speak cordially with their neighbors
    but harbor malice in their hearts.(G)
Repay them for their deeds
    and for their evil work;
repay them for what their hands have done(H)
    and bring back on them what they deserve.(I)

Because they have no regard for the deeds of the Lord
    and what his hands have done,(J)
he will tear them down
    and never build them up again.

Praise be to the Lord,(K)
    for he has heard my cry for mercy.(L)
The Lord is my strength(M) and my shield;
    my heart trusts(N) in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,(O)
    and with my song I praise him.(P)

The Lord is the strength(Q) of his people,
    a fortress of salvation(R) for his anointed one.(S)
Save your people(T) and bless your inheritance;(U)
    be their shepherd(V) and carry them(W) forever.