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Psalm 28

Psalm 28 is a heartfelt prayer of David, expressing his plea for help, trust in God’s mercy, and gratitude for deliverance. The psalm begins with a personal cry to God for intervention against adversaries. It moves from a plea to confident praise, affirming God’s role as a protector and shepherd. This psalm highlights both the dependence on God during times of trouble and the joy of knowing His faithful care.

Psalm 28:1-2 (NKJV)
1 To You I will cry, O Lord my Rock:
Do not be silent to me,
Lest, if You are silent to me,
I become like those who go down to the pit.
2 Hear the voice of my supplications
When I cry to You,
When I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.

David begins by calling out to God as his firm foundation, "my Rock," emphasizing his reliance on God. He pleads for God not to remain silent, fearing that silence would result in hopelessness, as if he were abandoned to death. The lifting of hands symbolizes earnest prayer and seeking God's presence in the sanctuary, underscoring his need for divine intervention.

Psalm 28:3-5 (NKJV)
3 Do not take me away with the wicked,
And with the workers of iniquity,
Who speak peace to their neighbors,
But evil is in their hearts.
4 Give them according to their deeds,
And according to the wickedness of their endeavors;
Give them according to the work of their hands;
Render to them what they deserve.
5 Because they do not regard the works of the Lord,
Nor the operation of His hands,
He shall destroy them
And not build them up.

David asks to be distinguished from the wicked, who deceive others with false peace but harbor evil intentions. He petitions God to deal with the wicked according to their actions, showing that God’s justice matches human deeds. Their disregard for God’s works warrants judgment, as they will not prosper under God’s hand. This plea reflects David’s desire for justice in a corrupt world.

Psalm 28:6-7 (NKJV)
6 Blessed be the Lord,
Because He has heard the voice of my supplications!
7 The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,
And with my song I will praise Him.

David’s tone shifts from plea to praise, expressing gratitude that God has heard his prayer. He declares the Lord as his strength and shield, acknowledging that trust in God has brought him help. This personal experience of deliverance leads to joy and a heartfelt response of praise through song.

Psalm 28:8-9 (NKJV)
8 The Lord is their strength,
And He is the saving refuge of His anointed.
9 Save Your people,
And bless Your inheritance;
Shepherd them also,
And bear them up forever.

David extends his praise beyond personal deliverance, affirming that the Lord is also the strength of His people and a refuge for His anointed. He prays for God to save and bless His people, calling them His inheritance. David concludes by asking God to shepherd and sustain them forever, highlighting the protective and sustaining care that only God can provide.

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