PSALM 28

Ps 28:1-9. An earnest cry for divine aid against his enemies, as being also those of God, is followed by the Psalmist's praise in assurance of a favorable answer, and a prayer for all God's people.

1. my rock-- (Ps 18:2, 31).
- be not silent to me--literally, "from me," deaf or inattentive.
- become like them, &c.--share their fate.
- go down into the pit--or, "grave" (Ps 30:3).

2. lift up my hands--a gesture of prayer (Ps 63:4; 141:2).
- oracle--place of speaking (Ex 25:22; Nu 7:89), where God answered His people (compare Ps 5:7).

3. Draw me not away--implies punishment as well as death (compare Ps 26:9). Hypocrisy is the special wickedness mentioned.

4. The imprecation is justified in Ps 28:5. The force of the passage is greatly enhanced by the accumulation of terms describing their sin.
- endeavours--points out their deliberate sinfulness.

5. Disregard of God's judgments brings a righteous punishment.
- destroy . . . build . . . up--The positive strengthened by the negative form.

6. supplications--or, "cries for mercy."

7. The repetition of "heart" denotes his sincerity.

8. The distinction made between the people.
- their strength--and the anointed--may indicate Absalom's rebellion as the occasion.

9. The special prayer for the people sustains this view.
- feed them--as a shepherd (Ps 23:1, &c.).