Psalms 28

1 To you will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if you be silent to me, I become like them that go down into 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 Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry to you, when I lift up my hands toward your holy oracle.

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 me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbors, but mischief is 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 deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavors: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert.

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 regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and 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, because he has heard the voice of my supplications.

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

7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoices; and with my song will I praise 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 their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.

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

9 Save your people, and bless your inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever.

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