Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

What does Psalms Chapter 28 mean?

David does not identify his enemies in this psalm, but he does describe their character and destiny. He says they are wicked, workers of evil, deceptive, and unbelieving. They are destined to go down to the pit—a metaphor for death and eternal ruin. David begins this psalm with an urgent plea for the Lord to hear his cry. He calls the Lord his rock. If the Lord does not answer his prayer, he believes his fate is like that of those whose destiny is death and destruction (Psalm 28:1–2).

As he continues, David uses phrasing that is both a request and a statement, combined. David is confident that he doesn’t share in wicked actions, so he is confident God will not “drag him off” when judging sinners. David describes evil people, in part, as those deceptively speaking politely, while planning to do evil. He prays the Lord will judge depraved people in proportion to their sins. (Psalm 28:3–4).

David points out that the wicked ignore and reject the Lord’s works. Despite all that God has shown, in nature and by miracles, those who reject Him refuse to see the truth. David prays that the Lord will repay them for their evil; he knows those who turn away from God will suffer eternal loss (Psalm 28:5).

The psalm concludes with praise that God has answered David’s prayer. David was a warrior (Psalm 144:1) who knew the value of a shield. God provided David with both protection and a sense of confidence. David applies this same idea to God’s protection of His people, most especially God’s plan to bring Messiah into the world. David was also a shepherd (1 Samuel 17:34), and he uses shepherding terminology to speak about the Lord’s guiding security (Psalm 28:6–9).

Chapter Context
Some scholars attribute this psalm to an unknown author. However, it seems reasonable to credit David with the authorship. The psalm indicates the author was in a dangerous situation. His enemies were oppressing him, but he trusted in the Lord to deliver him. The second part of the psalm is praise for answered prayer. This psalm complements Psalms 26 and 27.

Verse by Verse

Verse 1. To you, O Lord, I call;my rock, be not deaf to me,lest, if you be silent to me,I become like those who go down to the pit.

David asks the Lord not to remain silent in response to his cry. In this, David seems to acknowledge that it is God’s grace which rescues men, not their own actions. Without God’s answer and influence, David would be no better off than those who ignored God entirely. This does not mean David lacked confidence. He refers to God as his “rock.” Just as a rock is solid and strong, even so the Lord is a firm defender of the righteous and cannot be moved. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

It’s possible David felt some prayer request was being delayed. Of course, God’s delays are not always denials. He has promised to answer His people’s prayers. However, He encourages His people to keep on asking (Luke 11:9; 18:1). Jesus taught His disciples to persevere in prayer by telling the story of a man who received a late-night guest but had no food to give him. Therefore, he went to a neighbor’s house at midnight and requested three loaves. At first, the neighbor would not get up from bed and grant the request. Nevertheless, because the visitor kept on knocking, the neighbor arose and gave him whatever he needed (Luke 11:5–8). Jesus promised that the Father in heaven will answer the prayers of those who ask (Luke 11:9–10). Persistence in prayer develops patience. The delays in answering prayer are occasions when the Lord develops character in His people.

Context Summary
Psalm 28:1–5 begins with David’s plea for help and a request to be spared from the fate of evildoers. Other psalms indicated David’s intent to avoid sin and the consequences it brings (Psalm 26:4–5). He knows the wicked are bound for eternal destruction and asks God to repay them for their evil deeds and rejection of holiness.

Verse 2. Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy,when I cry to you for help,when I lift up my handstoward your most holy sanctuary.

David was mindful of right worship as he prayed. The tabernacle in Jerusalem was the site where God met His people and displayed His glory. This is the “holy sanctuary” to which David refers.

Daniel, living many centuries after David, was also mindful of right worship. When he heard that King Darius had issued an edict prohibiting his subjects from making a request to any god or man except himself or be executed (Daniel 6:6–9), Daniel continued to pray to the Lord. “He went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously” (Daniel 6:10).

As part of his prayer, David asks for both mercy and help. Believers today receive encouragement to offer a similar prayer. Hebrews 4:16 states: “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” “Mercy” implies not suffering deserved consequences, while “help” and “grace” both imply something actively and freely given.

Verse 3. Do not drag me off with the wicked,with the workers of evil,who speak peace with their neighborswhile evil is in their hearts.

The plea David makes here is not the result of personal guilt. In other psalms, David points out that he does not participate in evil (Psalm 26:4–5). One reason David avoids close association with wicked people is to avoid being caught up in the consequences of their sin (Proverbs 13:20). And yet, he knows that evil actions can create havoc even for the innocent. As an example of depravity, David mentions hypocrites who pretend to be peaceful while making plots.

The imagery of this verse is that of criminals being physically carried away to face judgment. Someday the Lord will “drag” all unsaved people to judgment. Acts 17:31 promises that one day He will judge the whole world through the Person He has appointed. That Person is God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Those who reject Christ will be judged according to their own sins (Psalm 28:4).

Revelation 20:11–15 identifies this moment as the “great white throne” judgment. There, all who have rejected Christ (John 3:36) will be consigned forever to the lake of fire. Believers—those who have trusted in Jesus—do not have to fear being judged at the great white throne, because Jesus paid the penalty of their sins (1 Corinthians 15:3). The apostle Paul writes in Romans 8:1: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” John 3:36 promises, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.”

Verse 4. Give to them according to their workand according to the evil of their deeds;give to them according to the work of their hands;render them their due reward.

As part of his plea for God to hear his cries, David also asks God to bring justice to those who do evil. This is a common theme of Scripture: asking God to bring justice, rather than declaring one’s intent to take vengeance (Leviticus 19:18; Romans 12:19). Even in the Old Testament, there is a clear understanding that God, not man, is meant to be the One who delivers justice (Deuteronomy 32:35).

David knows vengeance belongs to the Lord, because only God is free from sin. This psalm asks the Lord to punish evil persons “according to their work…their deeds…the work of their hands.” This means more than simply punishing them “for” sin. David is also asking that these evil ones would suffer consequences corresponding to the seriousness of their crimes.

Scripture predicts a final judgment on sin, called “the great white throne.” There, those whose names are not written in the Lamb’s book of life are cast into the lake of fire, after evidence of their sinful life is presented. “The dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done” (Revelation 20:12). Every sinner who rejects Jesus as Savior in this life (John 3:36) will face Him as judge in the next life. He will measure to every unsaved sinner exactly what he deserves. Only those who are saved—sinners who have accepted grace—will be spared from their deserved fate (Psalm 103:10; 1 John 1:9).

Verse 5. Because they do not regard the works of the Lordor the work of his hands,he will tear them down and build them up no more.

It seems David is addressing the congregation when he cites a reason the Lord should judge the wicked hypocrites. He refers to those who ignore God’s influence—the evidence of His miraculous intervention in the world. Israel’s long history from Abraham to David is replete with wonders the Lord performed on behalf of His people. How could anyone reject the witness He gave at the Red Sea or on Mount Carmel? Yet, the unbelievers in Israel ignored the Lord’s mighty works.

Then, as today, disbelief in God requires a person to reject what they can observe in nature. Natural revelation declares the existence of God and such divine characteristics as His mighty power, His benevolence, His wisdom, and His providence. By rejecting natural revelation, the unbelieving hypocrites in Israel resembled the heathen, whom Paul wrote about in Romans 1:20–21. The heathen had clear evidence of God’s invisible attributes and were therefore without excuse.

Verse 6. Blessed be the Lord!For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.

David ascribes praise to the Lord for answering his prayer. He had called on the Lord for help, and he had received it. Hebrews 4:16 encourages Christians to draw near to God’s throne of grace to receive His help exactly when we need it. The Lord has not promised His people a carefree life, but He is always alongside to help. He promises: “‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5–6).

Many centuries after David, God’s power to help would be graphically portrayed in the case of Daniel’s three friends. Determined to worship only the Lord and not an idol, they suffered the consequences by being thrown into a blazing hot fire. However, the Lord was their helper, therefore the fire did not consume them. It merely burned off the ropes that had bound them (see Daniel 3).

Context Summary
Psalm 28:6–7 gives thanks to the Lord for answering David’s prayer. David’s response is to trust in the Lord wholeheartedly. Trust in God transformed his fear into peace and his trial into triumph. God’s power and protection are seen clearly in David’s praise.

Verse 7. The Lord is my strength and my shield;in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;my heart exults,and with my song I give thanks to him.

God is the source of David’s power and protection. David rejoices in the Lord and sings praise to Him, because the Lord is the source of his power and protection. As a warrior (Psalm 144:1), David recognizes that the Lord enables him to be strong in the face of his enemy’s oppression. A shield not only provides a warrior with physical protection—it also serves to boost the warrior’s confidence. Experienced believers can often recall many occasions when the Lord strengthened and protected them. Each victory brings an opportunity to rejoice and be thankful.

Isaiah refers to the Lord as providing power to His people. He writes in Isaiah 40:28–31 that the Lord does not faint or grow weary. He empowers the faint and gives strength to those who have none. Those who wait on the Lord will receive new strength. They will soar like eagles, run without tiring, and walk without fainting.

Verse 8. The Lord is the strength of his people;he is the saving refuge of his anointed.

As he closes out this psalm, David encourages the faithful people within Israel. He states that the Lord is their strength and the salvation of their king. This reference to “the saving refuge of his anointed” implies that those whom God chooses, He also protects. Nowhere is this more clearly seen than in God’s promise to send a Messiah (Isaiah 9:6–7; 2 Samuel 7:16). Although nations tried to destroy Israel, the Lord always protected a remnant to ensure the arrival of the Messiah. Centuries after David, God even used the power of Rome to move Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem. There, the Messiah was born in fulfillment of the prophecy that Bethlehem Ephrathah would bring forth the Lord’s appointed ruler of Israel (Micah 5:2; Luke 2:1–7).

David also knew from experience that the Lord was his saving refuge. He had protected him from Goliath (1 Samuel 17:37, 50), Saul (1 Samuel 27:1–4), and the Philistines (2 Samuel 5:19). But the Lord’s primary anointed one is the Messiah, Jesus. When Jesus was an infant, the Lord protected Him from Herod’s hateful decree to kill all the male Jewish infants (Matthew 2:16–18). He also saved Him from the Devil’s many attempts to destroy Him (Matthew 4:1–11). Further, He saved Him from death’s grip by raising Him from the grave (Matthew 28:8–10). Someday, the Lord will inaugurate Jesus as King over all the earth (Revelation 19:11–16).

Context Summary
Psalm 28:8–9 comes after David has prayed to the Lord as his Rock. He requested help in the face of his enemies. He urged the Lord to punish the wicked in proportion to their evil. Next, he praised God for answering his prayer by giving him power and protection. Now he expands his perspective to include all the Lord’s people. He views the Lord as the power and protection of His people, and he asks God to bless them and shepherd them forever.

Verse 9. Oh, save your people and bless your heritage!Be their shepherd and carry them forever.

David prays for God to save Israel, His inheritance. Someday, the Lord will eternally save members of every tribe of Israel to be His people (Romans 11:25–32). They will enter Messiah’s kingdom and enjoy peace and prosperity. They will be His family. Isaiah 40:11 predicts the salvation of Israel and states: “He [Messiah] will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.”

That this psalm uses shepherding images is fitting, given David’s experiences. As a shepherd, David knew all about the process; he mentions in Psalm 23 that the Lord, his shepherd, led him beside still waters and along paths of righteousness (Psalm 23:2–3). A good shepherd knows each of his sheep by name, and he feeds his sheep. As a caring shepherd, he leads his sheep and often carries them on his shoulders.

End of Psalm 28

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