Psalms 28

King James Version

Full text for Psalms Chapter 28

1¶ [A Psalm] of David. Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, [if] thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.

2Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.

3Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief [is] in their hearts.

4Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert.

5Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up.

6¶ Blessed [be] the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.

7The LORD [is] my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

8The LORD [is] their strength, and he [is] the saving strength of his anointed.

9Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Psalm 28 opens with David's fervent cry to the LORD, his rock, imploring Him not to remain silent lest he be counted among the lost. He seeks divine justice against the wicked, who speak peace but harbor mischief, asking God to repay them according to their deeds. David then transitions to praise, blessing the LORD for hearing his supplications and proclaiming Him as his strength and shield. The psalm concludes with a petition for God to save, bless, and uplift His people forever.

Medium Summary

In Psalm 28, David earnestly appeals to the LORD, his rock, to hear his voice and not be silent, fearing he would otherwise become like those who descend into the pit. He lifts his hands in supplication, praying not to be drawn away with the wicked, who speak peace deceitfully. David requests that God repay these workers of iniquity according to their evil deeds, stating that their disregard for God's works will lead to their destruction. A shift occurs as David blesses the LORD for hearing his prayers, testifying that God is his strength and shield, and that his trust in Him has brought help and great rejoicing. He vows to praise the LORD with song, concluding with a plea for God to save, bless, feed, and lift up His people and inheritance perpetually.

Long Summary

Psalm 28 begins with David's urgent and repeated cry to the LORD, whom he addresses as his rock, imploring Him not to be silent, lest he be likened to those who go down into the pit. He lifts his hands toward God's holy oracle, seeking a hearing for his supplications. David then distinguishes himself from the wicked and workers of iniquity, who speak peace to their neighbors while mischief is in their hearts, praying that he not be swept away with them. He petitions God to render unto these deceitful individuals according to their wicked deeds and endeavors, asserting that they deserve their just recompense. The psalmist declares that because these wicked ones fail to regard the works and operations of the LORD's hands, God shall destroy them and not build them up. A pivotal shift occurs as David blesses the LORD, expressing profound gratitude for having heard the voice of his supplications. He proclaims the LORD as his strength and his shield, testifying that his heart trusted in God, and he was helped, leading to great rejoicing. David resolves to praise God with his song, acknowledging the LORD as the saving strength of His anointed. The psalm concludes with a fervent prayer for the LORD to save His people, bless His inheritance, feed them, and lift them up forever, demonstrating a communal concern for God's chosen.

Core Concepts

  • Urgent SupplicationDavid's earnest and direct appeal to the LORD, his 'rock,' emphasizing his desperate need for God's active response and intervention to avoid destruction.
  • Distinction from the WickedThe psalmist's plea to God not to be associated with or swept away by the wicked, who are characterized by deceitful speech and malicious intent.
  • Divine RetributionA request for God to render justice to the wicked according to their deeds and the wickedness of their endeavors, as they disregard the works of the LORD.
  • God as Strength and ShieldDavid's personal testimony and declaration of the LORD as his source of power, protection, and help, leading to his heart's rejoicing and praise.
  • Thanksgiving and PraiseA transition from petition to adoration, where David blesses the LORD for hearing his prayers and vows to praise Him with song.
  • Prayer for God's PeopleThe psalm concludes with a communal plea for the LORD to save, bless, feed, and perpetually uplift His people and inheritance.