The Bible — World English Bible
Psalm 28
In brief
Psalm 28 is a prayer of David that moves from anguish to praise. It begins with a cry to the Lord, his rock: do not be deaf to me. David prays to be spared the fate of the wicked, who speak peace while nursing mischief. Then the tone changes: he blesses the Lord who hears, declares him his strength and his shield, and prays for all God's people. The psalm ends with the request that God be the shepherd of his people.
The chapter in 4 parts
1To you, Yahweh, I call. My rock, don’t be deaf to me, lest, if you are silent to me, I would become like those who go down into the pit.
2Hear the voice of my petitions, when I cry to you, when I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.
3Don’t draw me away with the wicked, with the workers of iniquity who speak peace with their neighbors, but mischief is in their hearts.
4Give them according to their work, and according to the wickedness of their doings. Give them according to the operation of their hands. Bring back on them what they deserve.
5Because they don’t respect the works of Yahweh, nor the operation of his hands, he will break them down and not build them up.
6Blessed be Yahweh, because he has heard the voice of my petitions.
7Yahweh is my strength and my shield. My heart has trusted in him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart greatly rejoices. With my song I will thank him.
8Yahweh is their strength. He is a stronghold of salvation to his anointed.
9Save your people, and bless your inheritance. Be their shepherd also, and bear them up forever.
Key verses
To you, Yahweh, I call. My rock, don’t be deaf to me, lest, if you are silent to me, I would become like those who go down into the pit.
David calls the Lord his rock and fears his silence. For him, a God who does not answer would be worse than any danger.
Don’t draw me away with the wicked, with the workers of iniquity who speak peace with their neighbors, but mischief is in their hearts.
He asks not to be drawn away with those who speak peace while having evil in their hearts. It is a prayer to keep his integrity and to tell words from intentions.
Yahweh is my strength and my shield. My heart has trusted in him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart greatly rejoices. With my song I will thank him.
The center of the psalm: the Lord is David's strength and shield, he trusts in him, is helped and sings. Trust comes before joy.
Save your people, and bless your inheritance. Be their shepherd also, and bear them up forever.
David widens his prayer to the whole people and asks God to save them, bless them and lead them like a shepherd. This verse is used in several liturgical songs.
Bible verses to meditate on
Test your knowledge
What the sermons say
Frequently asked questions about Psalm 28
What does Psalm 28 mean?
Psalm 28 is the prayer of a man in distress who cries to God, his rock, then finds that God has heard him. David asks to be spared the fate of the wicked, then praises the Lord, his strength and his shield. The psalm shows the move from pleading to trust.
Why does David ask for the wicked to be punished?
In verse 4, David entrusts to God the task of giving justice rather than taking revenge himself. This is common language in the psalms, which leaves judgment to God. The New Testament calls us to love our enemies while leaving justice to God (Romans 12:19).
How can I pray with Psalm 28?
Follow the movement of the psalm: first tell God what worries you, as in verse 1. Then ask to stay upright in the midst of what surrounds you. Next, take up verse 7 as a confession of faith, and finish with verse 9 by praying for your church and your family.
Articles quoting Psalm 28
World English Bible translation — public domain.