Psalm 28:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: To you, O Lord, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me, lest, if you be silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit.

NIV: Of David. To you, Lord, I call; you are my Rock, do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who go down to the pit.

NASB: To You, Lord, I call; My rock, do not be deaf to me, For if You are silent to me, I will become like those who go down to the pit.

CSB: Of David. Lord, I call to you; my rock, do not be deaf to me. If you remain silent to me, I will be like those going down to the Pit.

NLT: I pray to you, O Lord, my rock. Do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you are silent, I might as well give up and die.

KJV: A Psalm of David. Unto thee will I cry, O Lord my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.

NKJV: {A Psalm of David.} To You I will cry, O Lord my Rock: Do not be silent to me, Lest, if You are silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit.

David asks the Lord not to remain silent in response to his cry. In this, David seems to acknowledge that it is God's grace which rescues men, not their own actions. Without God's answer and influence, David would be no better off than those who ignored God entirely. This does not mean David lacked confidence. He refers to God as his "rock." Just as a rock is solid and strong, even so the Lord is a firm defender of the righteous and cannot be moved. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

It's possible David felt some prayer request was being delayed. Of course, God's delays are not always denials. He has promised to answer His people's prayers. However, He encourages His people to keep on asking (Luke 11:9; 18:1). Jesus taught His disciples to persevere in prayer by telling the story of a man who received a late-night guest but had no food to give him. Therefore, he went to a neighbor's house at midnight and requested three loaves. At first, the neighbor would not get up from bed and grant the request. Nevertheless, because the visitor kept on knocking, the neighbor arose and gave him whatever he needed (Luke 11:5–8). Jesus promised that the Father in heaven will answer the prayers of those who ask (Luke 11:9–10). Persistence in prayer develops patience. The delays in answering prayer are occasions when the Lord develops character in His people.

Psalm 28:1–5 begins with David's plea for help and a request to be spared from the fate of evildoers. Other psalms indicated David's intent to avoid sin and the consequences it brings (Psalm 26:4–5). He knows the wicked are bound for eternal destruction and asks God to repay them for their evil deeds and rejection of holiness.

David prays for God to hear him, noting the distinction between himself and those who wickedly reject God. Because he honors the Lord, David expects to be spared from the fate of evil people. Prior experience has made David confident in God's protection, a theme which he encourages all God's people to embrace.

Some scholars attribute this psalm to an unknown author. However, it seems reasonable to credit David with the authorship. The psalm indicates the author was in a dangerous situation. His enemies were oppressing him, but he trusted in the Lord to deliver him. The second part of the psalm is praise for answered prayer. This psalm complements Psalms 26 and 27.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.