Psalms 28

1 Of David. My cry goes up to you, O Lord, my Rock; do not keep back your answer from me, so that I may not become like those who go down into the underworld.

[By David.] To you, LORD, I call. My rock, do not be deaf to me; lest, if you are silent to me, I would become like those who go down into the pit.

2 Give ear to the voice of my prayer, when I am crying to you, when my hands are lifted up to your holy place.

Hear the voice of my petitions, when I cry to you, when I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.

3 Do not take me away with the sinners and the workers of evil, who say words of peace to their neighbours, but evil is in their hearts.

Do not draw me away with the wicked, with evildoers who speak peace with their neighbors, but mischief is in their hearts.

4 Give them the right reward of their acts, and of their evil doings: give them punishment for the works of their hands, let them have their full reward.

Give them according to their work, and according to the wickedness of their doings. Give them according to the operation of their hands. Bring back on them what they deserve.

5 Because they have no respect for the works of the Lord, or for the things which his hands have made, they will be broken down and not lifted up by him.

Because they do not regard the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he will break them down and not build them up.

6 May the Lord be praised, because he has given ear to the voice of my prayer.

Blessed be the LORD, because he has heard the voice of my petitions.

7 The Lord is my strength and my breastplate, my heart had faith in him and I am helped; for this cause my heart is full of rapture, and I will give him praise in my song.

The LORD is my strength and my shield. My heart has trusted in him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart greatly rejoices. With my song I will thank him.

8 The Lord is their strength, and a strong place of salvation for his king.

The LORD is the strength of his people. He is a stronghold of salvation to his anointed.

9 Be a saviour to your people, and send a blessing on your heritage: be their guide, and let them be lifted up for ever.

Save your people, and bless your inheritance. Be their shepherd also, and bear them up forever.