Psalms 28

1 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.

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

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

Listen to the voice of my supplication, when I pray to you, when I lift up my hands toward your holy temple.

3 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.

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

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

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 to them.

5 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.

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

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

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

7 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.

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.

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

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

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

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