< Psalms 28 >
1 Yahweh, I call out to you; [you are like an overhanging] rock [under which I can hide]. Do not refuse to answer me, because if you are silent, I will soon be with those who are in their graves.
Of David. To You, O LORD, I call; be not deaf to me, O my Rock. For if You remain silent, I will be like those descending to the Pit.
2 Listen to me when I call out for you [to help me], when I pray, lifting up my hands as I face your sacred temple.
Hear my cry for mercy when I call to You for help, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.
3 Do not drag me away with wicked people, with those who do wicked deeds, with those who pretend [to act] peacefully toward others while in their inner beings, they hate them.
Do not drag me away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, who speak peace to their neighbors while malice is in their hearts.
4 Punish those people in the way that they deserve for what they have done; punish them for their evil deeds [DOU].
Repay them according to their deeds and for their works of evil. Repay them for what their hands have done; bring back on them what they deserve.
5 Yahweh, they do not pay attention to the [wonderful] things that you have done and that you have created; so get rid of them permanently and do not let them appear again!
Since they show no regard for the works of the LORD or what His hands have done, He will tear them down and never rebuild them.
6 Praise Yahweh because he has heard me when I called out for him to help me!
Blessed be the LORD, for He has heard my cry for mercy.
7 Yahweh makes me strong and [protects] me [like a shield] [MET]; I trusted in him, and he helped me. I was glad, and from my inner being I praised him as I sang to him.
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart rejoices, and I give thanks to Him with my song.
8 Yahweh causes us to be strong and protects us; and he saves me, the one he appointed [MTY] to be king.
The LORD is the strength of His people, a stronghold of salvation for His anointed.
9 Yahweh, save/rescue your people; bless those who belong to you. [Take care of them like] a shepherd [takes care of his sheep] [MET]; take care of them forever.
Save Your people and bless Your inheritance; shepherd them and carry them forever.