February 1, 2017 (Wednesday)
This Psalm is companion to Psalm 26, but the danger is greater. Perhaps it was written when David was fleeing from Absalom, or there could have been some sort of pestilence with wide-spread illness and death. If so, David seems to think that it is some kind of punishment for evil-doers. He prays to be spared their fate.
Psalm 28
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
A Prayer for Help and Praise for Its Answer
A Psalm of David.
AN URGENT CRY FOR AUDIENCE (1-2)
1 To You, O LORD, I call;
My rock, do not be deaf to me,
For if You are silent to me,
I will become like those who go down to the pit.
2 Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to You for help,
When I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.
A PRAYER FOR JUSTICE (3-5)
3 Do not drag me away with the wicked
And with those who work iniquity,
Who speak peace with their neighbors,
While evil is in their hearts.
4 Requite them according to their work and according to the evil of their practices;
Requite them according to the deeds of their hands;
Repay them their recompense.
5 Because they do not regard the works of the LORD
Nor the deeds of His hands,
He will tear them down and not build them up.
A PRAYER OF JOYOUS THANKSGIVING (6-7)
6 Blessed be the LORD,
Because He has heard the voice of my supplication.
7 The LORD is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart exults,
And with my song I shall thank Him.
AN INTERCESSION FOR THE PEOPLE (8-9)
8 The LORD is their strength,
And He is a saving defense to His anointed.
9 Save Your people and bless Your inheritance;
Be their shepherd also, and carry them forever.