Psalm 28

My Strength

Of David.

Lord, I call to you;
my rock, do not be deaf to me.(A)
If you remain silent to me,
I will be like those going down to the Pit.(B)
Listen to the sound of my pleading
when I cry to you for help,
when I lift up my hands
toward your holy sanctuary.(C)

Do not drag me away with the wicked,
with the evildoers,
who speak in friendly ways with their neighbors
while malice is in their hearts.(D)
Repay them according to what they have done—
according to the evil of their deeds.
Repay them according to the work of their hands;
give them back what they deserve.(E)
Because they do not consider
what the Lord has done
or the work of his hands,
he will tear them down and not rebuild them.(F)

Blessed be the Lord,
for he has heard the sound of my pleading.(G)
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.(H)
Therefore my heart celebrates,
and I give thanks to him with my song.(I)

The Lord is the strength of his people;[a]
he is a stronghold of salvation for his anointed.(J)
Save your people, bless your possession,
shepherd them, and carry them forever.(K)

Footnotes

  1. 28:8 Some Hb mss, LXX, Syr; other Hb mss read strength for them

Psalm 28

Prayer for Help and Thanksgiving for It

Of David.

To you, O Lord, I call;
    my rock, do not refuse to hear me,
for if you are silent to me,
    I shall be like those who go down to the Pit.(A)
Hear the voice of my supplication,
    as I cry to you for help,
as I lift up my hands
    toward your most holy sanctuary.[a](B)

Do not drag me away with the wicked,
    with those who are workers of evil,
who speak peace with their neighbors
    while mischief is in their hearts.(C)
Repay them according to their work
    and according to the evil of their deeds;
repay them according to the work of their hands;
    render them their due reward.(D)
Because they do not regard the works of the Lord
    or the work of his hands,
he will break them down and build them up no more.(E)

Blessed be the Lord,
    for he has heard the sound of my pleadings.(F)
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
    in him my heart trusts;
so I am helped, and my heart exults,
    and with my song I give thanks to him.(G)

The Lord is the strength of his people;
    he is the saving refuge of his anointed.(H)
O save your people and bless your heritage;
    be their shepherd and carry them forever.(I)

Footnotes

  1. 28.2 Heb your innermost sanctuary