The author of Psalm 28 is David. God is our only source of safety when we are surrounded by trouble or wickedness. David shows us that prayer is very important during these times. It is our best help when trials come our way because it keeps us in communion with God.
David is very earnest in prayer. Observe his faith in prayer; "To you I call, O LORD my Rock" ~ Psalm 28:1
He prays that he may not be numbered with the wicked. "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" ~ Psalm 28:3
David speaks of the just judgments of the Lord on wrongdoers. "Repay them for their deeds and for their evil work; repay them for what their hands have done and bring back upon them for what they deserve" ~ Psalm 28:4
This is not the language of passion or revenge. It is a prophecy that there will certainly come a day, when God will punish every man who persists in his evil deeds. Sinners shall be reckoned with, not only for the mischief they have done, but for the mischief they designed, and did what they could to effect. Disregard of the works of the Lord, is the cause of the sin of sinners, and can become the cause of their ruin.
Has God heard our pleas? The Lord is my strength, to support me, and carry me on through all my services and sufferings. The heart that truly believes, shall in due time greatly rejoice. We are to expect joy and peace in believing. God shall have the praise of it and we must express our gratitude.
"Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever" ~ Psalm 28:6-9
The psalmist concludes with a short, but comprehensive prayer. God's people are his inheritance, and precious in his eyes. He prays that God would save them; that he would bless them with all good, especially the plenty of his ordinances, which are food to the soul. And direct their actions and overrule their affairs for good. Also, lift them up forever; not only those of that age, but his people in every age to come; lift them up as high as heaven. There, and there only, will saints be lifted up forever, never more to sink, or be depressed.
Psalm 28 / New International Version
ReplyDelete1 To you I call, O LORD 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.
2 Hear my cry for mercy
as I call to you for help,
as I lift up my hands
toward your Most Holy Place.
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.
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 Since 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 am helped.
My heart leaps for joy,
and I will give thanks to him in song.
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 forever.