< 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. My cry goes up to you, O Lord, my Rock; do not keep back your answer from me, so that I may not become like those who go down into the underworld.
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.
Give ear to the voice of my prayer, when I am crying to you, when my hands are lifted up to your holy place.
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 take me away with the sinners and the workers of evil, who say words of peace to their neighbours, but evil 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].
Give them the right reward of their acts, and of their evil doings: give them punishment for the works of their hands, let them have their full reward.
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!
Because they have no respect for the works of the Lord, or for the things which his hands have made, they will be broken down and not lifted up by him.
6 Praise Yahweh because he has heard me when I called out for him to help me!
May the Lord be praised, because he has given ear to the voice of my prayer.
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 breastplate, my heart had faith in him and I am helped; for this cause my heart is full of rapture, and I will give him praise in 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 their strength, and a strong place of salvation for his king.
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.
Be a saviour to your people, and send a blessing on your heritage: be their guide, and let them be lifted up for ever.