Psalm 28 Summary handout

Psalm 28 David calls on Yahweh and blesses Yahweh

©Tod Kennedy, todkennedy.com; knowbelieveapply.com;

Summary

David cries out to Yahweh, his rock, to listen and answer his prayer. David prays that Yahweh will judge and break the wicked because they practice evil and disregard Yahweh’s works. He asks that Yahweh not allow him to be caught up in the net of judgment and share by association the fate of the wicked. David then breaks into blessing Yahweh because He has heard his petition, and David proclaims that Yahweh is his strength and shield. He trusts Yahweh. David thanks Yahweh with song. Not only is Yahweh David’s strength and shield, Yahweh is also Israel’s strength and the saving defense of His anointed king. David concludes with the request that Yahweh deliver, bless, shepherd, and carry them through everything, always.

Outline

  1. Psalm 28.1-3. David cries out to Yahweh to listen and answer his prayer or he will share by association the fate of the wicked.
  2. Psalm 28.4-5. David asks Yahweh to judge and break them because they practice evil and disregard Yahweh’s works.
  3. Psalm 28.6-7. David then breaks into blessing Yahweh because Yahweh has heard his petition, and David proclaims that Yahweh is his strength and shield. He trusts Yahweh. David thanks Yahweh with song.
  4. Psalm 28.8-9. Not only is Yahweh David’s strength and shield, Yahweh is also Israel’s strength and the saving defense of His anointed king. David concludes with the request that Yahweh deliver, bless, shepherd, and carry them through everything, always.

Exposition

  1. Psalm 28.1-3. David cries out to Yahweh to listen and answer his prayer or he will share by association the fate of the wicked.
    1. Psalm 28.1. David cries out. Yahweh is his rock (Hebrew tsur, a rock, cliff, rocky wall). Psalm 42.9 has sela` a crag or cliff). Psalm 18.2 has both words. This is a picture of stability, protection, and strength (Psa 31.3; Isaiah 17.10). Listen to me. Do not turn a deaf ear to me. If Yahweh is silent, David will be like one who has died. The pit (Hebrew bor) pit, well, dungeon. A figure of one imprisoned by death. If Yahweh does not answer he will be like those who have died—life is cut off, worship stops, plans are gone (Psa 30.9; 88.4-6; 143.7; Isaiah 38.18).
    2. Psalm 28.2. Further request for help. David prays toward the holy place in the tabernacle (2 Chronicles 5.7). He is reaching out to Yahweh. This is a cry for help.
    3. Psalm 28.3. David does not want to share in the judgment of the wicked or to be associated with them in judgment. He does not want to die along with them. These are hypocrites. They work iniquity. They talk about peace, but are planning evil. Propaganda for peace to lull the neighbor into false security, but all the while planning to attack.
  2. Psalm 28.4-5. David asks Yahweh to judge and break them because they practice evil and disregard Yahweh’s works.
    1. Psalm 28.4. Judgment is based on their sin (their work, evil practices, deeds of their hands, their recompense or what is due them). Judge them based on what they have done. David repeats himself. He wants God’s justice.
    2. Psalm 28.5. The just judgment is not arbitrary. David’s conscience rebels at the hypocrisy and evil works. There is a reason behind the evil activity. They do not regard the works of the LORD. This is the expression of unbelief. Regard is the word bin, to regard, perceive, consider, pay attention to. They ignore Yahweh’s work in the world. Psalm 8 and Psalm 19 clearly links Yahweh’s work in the world with who he is. We can see the intelligence, power, and care for creation when we take time to observe the world. The picture is of dismantling a structure, not one of repairing a structure. It is God’s judgment.
  3. Psalm 28.6-7. David then breaks into blessing Yahweh because Yahweh has heard his petition, and David proclaims that Yahweh is his strength and shield. He trusts Yahweh. David thanks Yahweh with song.
    1. Psalm 28.6. David blesses Yahweh because Yahweh has heard and will answer. Bless is the word barak, to knell, to bless, to praise (Strong’s Hebrew #1288). Same word is used many times. Examples include Genesis 1.27, 12.2-3, Psalm 31.21, 40.40, 103.1-2. The LXX has eulogetos. See Luke 1.68, Romans 1.25, Ephesians 1.3, James 3.9. Blessed is also sometimes a translation of makarios, happy. David praises God. We should bless and praise God when He answers our requests.
    2. Psalm 28.7. David’s blessing to Yahweh is one of recognition of who Yahweh is to David, also an expression of trust, of recognition of help, of rejoicing, and thanks Him with song. Humble appreciation should be a normal way of life for believers.
  4. Psalm 28.8-9. Not only is Yahweh David’s strength and shield, Yahweh is also Israel’s strength and the saving defense of His anointed king. David concludes with the request that Yahweh deliver, bless, shepherd, and carry them through everything, always.
    1. Psalm 28.8. “Their strength” means Yahweh is the strength of the people. In context it is Israel. By application we are his church people. He is also our strength (Hebrew `oz). See Psalm 29.11, also Psalm 21.2, 62.8, 81.2, 84.6, and Job 37.6. Israel and all of Yahweh’s people have His strength supporting them. Not only that, but Yahweh is also the stronghold for salvation (ma`oz, mountain stronghold, place of refuge, fortress. Strong 4581) for his anointed, the king. The LORD is the one to go to for protection and strength when enemies come after him. The anointed (Hebrew masiah)is the king. This is the word that is translated Messiah in the Greek New Testament.
    2. Psalm 28.9. The four main verbs are imperatives: save, bless, shepherd, lift up or carry. The direct object of the verbs is “your people,” the nation Israel. Israel is Yahweh’s inheritance (Deuteronomy 4.20). The Hebrew word (nahala) also means possession or property. Yahweh is their shepherd (Isaiah 40.11; Psalm 23). David asks Yahweh to carry them forever—to provide and protect them. The psalmist is saying that Israel is Yahweh’s own property, and he prays that Yahweh will care for them forever.

So what for us?

  1. The LORD is pictured as a rock which means he is our strong, stable foundation and hideout; He is a shield; He is the one who helps; and He is the strength. By interpretation this is for believing Israel and her king. They can cry out to the LORD in prayer for help when in danger. We in the church are also God’s people. By application He is our rock and we can cry out to him when in danger.
  2. When evil is overwhelming we can pray that Yahweh will righteously judge the people who ignore Him and promote evil, and we can pray that the righteous are not caught up in the judgment.
  3. To prevent being judged with evil people we should not be associated with them in the promotion of evil.
  4. Praise and thank Yahweh for specific answers to prayer. If it is worth praying for, it is important to thank and praise Him for His answers.
  5. Believing Israel is the LORD’S possession and property, her strength, her shepherd, and the one who carries them through difficult times.