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, Yahweh, I cry out; my rock, do not ignore me. If you do not respond to me, I will join those who go down to the grave.

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 the sound of my pleading when I call for help from you, when I lift up my hands toward your most 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 drag me away with the wicked, those who do iniquity, who speak peace with their neighbors but have evil 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 what their deeds deserve and repay them what their wickedness demands, repay them for the work of their hands and render to them their due.

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 do not understand the deeds of Yahweh or the work of his hands, 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 Yahweh because he has heard the sound of my pleading!

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.

Yahweh is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and I will praise him with singing.

8 Yahweh causes us to be strong and protects us; and he saves me, the one he appointed [MTY] to be king.

Yahweh is the strength of his people, and he is the saving refuge of his anointed one.

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. Be their shepherd and carry them forever.