Psalm 28: Pleadings & Breakthrough

Of David.

[Preliminary Comments:  A simple description that identifies David as the writer. We aren’t told the cause or nature of his anguish but he had obviously been pleading with God for help and doesn’t yet appear to have received it. [v.1,2] There is an implication that he contrasts (note, not compares) himself with wrongdoers, asking that the Lord won’t do to him what He does to such people. [v.3-5] Verse 6 is the turning point we so often find with David when he suddenly senses the Lord has answered. Faith flows afresh [v.7,8] and he concludes with a simple petition for the Lord to save and bless his people and be the shepherd he knows He is.]

Part 1: v.1-5: Pleading

v.1,2 David pleads with the Lord to hear him in his need

v.1 To you, Lord, I call;
    you are my Rock,
    do not turn a deaf ear to me.
For if you remain silent,
    I will be like those who go down to the pit.

v.2 Hear my cry for mercy
    as I call to you for help,
as I lift up my hands
    toward your Most Holy Place.

v.3-5 He asks the Lord to distinguish between him and evildoers

v.3 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.

v.4 Repay them for their deeds
    and for their evil work;
repay them for what their hands have done
    and bring back on them what they deserve.

v.5 Because they have no regard for the deeds of the Lord
    and what his hands have done,
he will tear them down
    and never build them up again.

Part 2: v.6-9: Assurance

v.6 He senses that the Lord has heard him

v.6 Praise be to the Lord,
    for he has heard my cry for mercy.

v.7,8 He has a fresh realization that the Lord is his strength

v.7 The Lord is my strength and my shield;
    my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
    and with my song I praise him.

v.8 The Lord is the strength of his people,
    a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. [i.e. David himself]

v.9 A final fourfold petition

v.9 Save your people and bless your inheritance;
    be their shepherd and carry them forever.

[Additional Thoughts: The same lesson comes through this psalm as many others written by David: he has difficulties and he cries out to the Lord and as he unburdens his heart, suddenly there comes a breakthrough  – the assurance that God has heard and IS answering.

After perhaps going back and meditating on individual verses, now read it meaningfully out loud straight through

1 To you, Lord, I call;
    you are my Rock,
    do not turn a deaf ear to me.
For if you remain silent,
    I shall be like those who go down to the pit.
2 Hear my cry for mercy
    as I call to you for help,
as I lift up my hands
    towards your Most Holy Place.

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

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

6 Praise be to the Lord,
    for he has heard my cry for mercy.
7 The Lord is my strength and my shield;
    my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
    and with my song I praise him.

8 The Lord is the strength of his people,
    a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.
9 Save your people and bless your inheritance;
    be their shepherd and carry them for ever.

For those who may wish to make a study of this chapter, to perhaps think some more about what you have been reading, use the link below: