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.

[A Psalm] of David. To you, O Lord, have I cried; my God, be not silent toward me: lest you be silent toward me, and so I should be likened to them that go down 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.

Listen to the voice of my supplication, when I pray to you, when I lift up my hands toward your holy temple.

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.

Draw not away my soul with sinners, and destroy me not with the workers of iniquity, who speak peace with their neighbors, but evils are 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 according to their works, and according to the wickedness of their devices: give them according to the works of their hands; render their recompense to them.

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 not attended to the works of the Lord, even to the works of his hands, you shall pull them down, and shall not build them up.

6 Praise Yahweh because he has heard me when I called out for him to help me!

Blessed be the Lord, for he has listened to the voice of my petition.

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 helper and my defender; my heart has hoped in him, and I am helped: my flesh has revived, and willingly will I give praise to him.

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, and the saving defender of 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: and take care of them, and lift them up for ever.