< Psalms 28 >
1 A Psalm of David himself. To you, Lord, I will cry out. My God, do not be silent toward me. For if you remain silent toward me, I will become like those who descend into the pit.
[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 Hear, O Lord, the voice of my supplication, when I pray to you, when I lift up my hands toward your holy temple.
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 draw me away together with sinners; and let me not perish with those who work iniquity, who speak peacefully to their neighbor, yet evils are 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 to them according to their works and according to the wickedness of their inventions. Assign to them according to the works of their hands. Repay them with their own retribution.
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 Since they have not understood the works of the Lord and the works of his hands, you will destroy them, and you will not build them up.
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 Blessed is the Lord, for he has heard the voice of my supplication.
Blessed be the LORD, because he has heard the voice of my petitions.
7 The Lord is my helper and my protector. In him, my heart has hoped and I have been helped. And my flesh has flourished again. And from my will, I shall confess to him.
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 the strength of his people and the protector of the salvation of his Christ.
The LORD is the strength of his people. He is a stronghold of salvation to his anointed.
9 O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance, and reign over them and exalt them, even unto eternity.
Save your people, and bless your inheritance. Be their shepherd also, and bear them up forever.