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.

Of David. Unto you, O Lord, do I cry; my rock, be not deaf to me: lest, through holding your peace, I become like those who 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.

Hear my loud entreaty, as I cry for help to you, lifting my hands, O Lord, towards your holy chancel.

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.

Take me not off with the wicked, nor with the workers of wrong, whose speech to their neighbours is friendly, while evil is in their heart.

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 as they have done, as their wicked deeds deserve. As their hands have wrought, so give to them: requite to them their deserts.

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.

They are blind to all that the Lord does, to all that his hands have wrought; and so he will tear them down, to build them up no more.

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

Blest be the Lord, who has heard my voice as I plead for mercy.

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 strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him. I was helped: so my heart is exultant, and in my song I will praise 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, the fortress who saves his anointed.

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

O save your people, and bless your inheritance. Be their shepherd and carry them forever.