Psalm 28 New International Reader's Version

A psalm of David.

28 Lord, my Rock, I call out to you.
    Pay attention to me.
If you remain silent, I will die.
    I will be like those who go down into the grave.
²Hear my cry for your favor
    when I call out to you for help.
Hear me when I lift up my hands in prayer
    toward your Most Holy Room.

³Don’t drag me away with sinners.
    Don’t drag me away with those who do evil.
They speak in a friendly way to their neighbors.
    But their hearts are full of hate.
⁴Pay them back for their evil actions.
    Pay them back for what their hands have done.
    Give them exactly what they should get.
⁵They don’t care about the Lord’s mighty acts.
    They don’t care about what his hands have done.
So he will tear them down.
    He will never build them up again.

⁶Give praise to the Lord.
    He has heard my cry for his favor.
⁷The Lord gives me strength. He is like a shield that keeps me safe.
    My heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart jumps for joy.
    With my song I praise him.

⁸The Lord gives strength to his people.
He guards and saves his anointed king.
⁹Save your people. Bless those who belong to you.
Be their shepherd. Take care of them forever.