Psalms 28

1 [By David.] To you, YHWH, 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.

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 petitions, when I cry to you, when I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.

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

3 Do not draw me away with the wicked, with evildoers who speak peace with 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 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.

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 do not regard the works of YHWH, nor the operation of his hands, he will break them down 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 YHWH, because he has heard the voice of my petitions.

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

7 YHWH 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.

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 YHWH is the strength of his people. He is a stronghold of salvation to 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. Be their shepherd also, and bear them up forever.

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