Summary
Nobody likes receiving injustice. It hurts when we are taken advantage of, abused and hurt, or in some way punished for a wrong we did not commit. Many of Psalms 23 through 28 bring up recurring themes of a desire for justice and deliverance by God, and the righting of wrongs committed.
In Psalm 28 we read of a king crying out on behalf of his people for justice against enemies from within their own people. After a general plea to God, King David seeks justice from God against his enemies, and then sings praise to God for the deliverance received from God.
Our passage explained
v1-3
Psalm 28 begins with a general plea to God. David cries to God, his covenant Lord, who is his “rock.” (v.1) He asks God to listen to his prayers, and not be deaf (that is, inactive) to his pleas for mercy (v.2). It is life or death, because if God does not respond he will “become like those who go down to the pit” of death (v.1). His pleas for mercy are directed worshipfully towards God, present in his holy place in the innermost place of the Temple (v.2).
David’s general plea to God for mercy and hearing is followed by a cry for justice. He does not want to be associated with wicked people. He asks “do not drag me off with the wicked, with the workers of evil, who speak peace with their neighbors while evil is in their hearts” (v.3).
v4-5
The wicked whose ultimate end is being dragged off to judgment and death are notable for three things: they commit evil deeds, they speak (outwardly) nicely to their neighbours, but have evil desires and intentions inwardly. That they are spoken of as behaving pleasantly outwardly to their neighbours suggests that the enemies discussed here are part of the broader community, not outside enemy nations.
David asks that God “give to them according to their work and according to the evil of their deeds; give to them according to the work of their hands; render them their due reward” (v.4). David is asking for retribution – that the enemies receive the due penalty for their evil deeds which is legally due to them.
The enemies should receive retribution because “they do not regard the works of the LORD or the work of his hands” (v.5). The works of the evildoers are not in obedience and respect of the works of God’s hands. Because of this, David prays that God will “tear them down” in judgment (v.5).
v6-9
The final half of Psalm 28 praises God for the deliverance received by David and the people from their enemies. Verses 1 through 5 as a whole sought God’s intervention and judgment of the wicked. Verses six through nine make it clear that God has intervened.
Firstly David announces a prayer of thanksgiving. “ Blessed be the LORD! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy” (v.6). God has not been deaf to his pleadings (see v.1) but has listened to his pleas for mercy (v.2). He confesses “The LORD is my strength and my shield” and his deliverance as “in him my heart trusts, and I am helped” (v.7). It concludes with David singing “my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him” (v.7).
Not only does David confess that God is his strength and shield, but “the LORD is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed” as well (v.8). Not only is the king God’s anointed, but also the people are God’s anointed ones, to whom God lends his strength.
To conclude his thanksgiving, he prays that God will “save your people and bless your heritage! Be their shepherd and carry them forever” (v.9). He seeks God’s continued protection of the people, that God’s name might be blessed with a people calling on his name. Echoing Psalm 23, he asks God to be the peoples’ shepherd, caring and protecting his people.
Our passage applied
When we read passages which speak of seeking retribution for our enemies, it causes us discomfort. After all, Jesus calls us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matt. 5:44). We seek the repentance of those who oppose Christ, not their immediate judgment. Yet we must remember that for those who consistently rebel against God will in the end receive the due punishment for their errors, whether they are outside the church or false teachers within. It is for us in the meantime to warn that some may repent.
We can take heart that this Psalm demonstrates justice will ultimately be done. Those who do not regard God’s works and commit evil deeds will receive the due punishment for their sins, because God is not deaf to our pleadings, but is a refuge and strength to all his people. Nor will he treat us as we deserve, because he will answer our pleas for mercy through the forgiveness we receive in Jesus Christ.
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