Psalm 28:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: 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.

NIV: Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts.

NASB: Do not drag me away with the wicked And with those who practice injustice, Who speak peace with their neighbors, While evil is in their hearts.

CSB: Do not drag me away with the wicked, with the evildoers, who speak in friendly ways with their neighbors while malice is in their hearts.

NLT: Do not drag me away with the wicked — with those who do evil — those who speak friendly words to their neighbors while planning evil in their hearts.

KJV: Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts.

NKJV: Do not take me away with the wicked And with the workers of iniquity, Who speak peace to their neighbors, But evil is in their hearts.

The plea David makes here is not the result of personal guilt. In other psalms, David points out that he does not participate in evil (Psalm 26:4–5). One reason David avoids close association with wicked people is to avoid being caught up in the consequences of their sin (Proverbs 13:20). And yet, he knows that evil actions can create havoc even for the innocent. As an example of depravity, David mentions hypocrites who pretend to be peaceful while making plots.

The imagery of this verse is that of criminals being physically carried away to face judgment. Someday the Lord will "drag" all unsaved people to judgment. Acts 17:31 promises that one day He will judge the whole world through the Person He has appointed. That Person is God's Son, Jesus Christ. Those who reject Christ will be judged according to their own sins (Psalm 28:4).

Revelation 20:11–15 identifies this moment as the "great white throne" judgment. There, all who have rejected Christ (John 3:36) will be consigned forever to the lake of fire. Believers—those who have trusted in Jesus—do not have to fear being judged at the great white throne, because Jesus paid the penalty of their sins (1 Corinthians 15:3). The apostle Paul writes in Romans 8:1: "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." John 3:36 promises, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life."

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.