Psalms 28

1 [A Psalm] of David. To thee, O Lord, have I cried; my God, be not silent toward me: lest thou be silent toward me, and so I should be likened to them that go down to the pit.

A psalm of David. Lord, my rock, I'm calling out to you. Please listen to me! For if you don't respond, I'll be like those who go down into the grave.

2 Hearken to the voice of my supplication, when I pray to thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy temple.

Listen as I appeal for mercy, as I call for help, as I hold up my hands in prayer towards your holy Temple.

3 Draw not away my soul with sinners, and destroy me not with the workers of iniquity, who speak peace with their neighbours, but evils are in their hearts.

Don't drag me off with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak nicely to their neighbors while in their minds they're plotting evil.

4 Give them according to their works, and according to the wickedness of their devices: give them according to the works of their hands; render their recompense unto them.

Give them what they deserve for their evil actions. Pay them back for what they've done. Give them the reward they've earned!

5 Because they have not attended to the works of the Lord, even to the works of his hands, thou shalt pull them down, and shalt not build them up.

For they don't pay any attention to what the Lord does, or to what he created. So he will destroy them—they will never be restored.

6 Blessed be the Lord, for he has hearkened to the voice of my petition.

Praise the Lord! For he has heard my appeal for mercy!

7 The Lord is my helper and my defender; my heart has hoped in him, and I am helped: my flesh has revived, and willingly will I give praise to him.

The Lord is my strength and my shield. I trust in him and he helps me. I'm so happy, and I sing my thanks to him.

8 The Lord is the strength of his people, and the saving defender of his anointed.

The Lord gives strength to his people; he is a safe refuge for the one he has anointed.

9 Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: and take care of them, and lift them up for ever.

Save your people! Bless your “special possession”! Be their shepherd and carry them in your arms forever!