Psalm 28:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Because they do not regard the works of the LORD or the work of his hands, he will tear them down and build them up no more.

NIV: Because they have no regard for the deeds of the LORD and what his hands have done, he will tear them down and never build them up again.

NASB: Because they do not regard the works of the Lord Nor the deeds of His hands, He will tear them down and not build them up.

CSB: Because they do not consider what the Lord has done or the work of his hands, he will tear them down and not rebuild them.

NLT: They care nothing for what the Lord has done or for what his hands have made. So he will tear them down, and they will never be rebuilt!

KJV: Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up.

NKJV: Because they do not regard the works of the Lord, Nor the operation of His hands, He shall destroy them And not build them up.

It seems David is addressing the congregation when he cites a reason the Lord should judge the wicked hypocrites. He refers to those who ignore God's influence—the evidence of His miraculous intervention in the world. Israel's long history from Abraham to David is replete with wonders the Lord performed on behalf of His people. How could anyone reject the witness He gave at the Red Sea or on Mount Carmel? Yet, the unbelievers in Israel ignored the Lord's mighty works.

Then, as today, disbelief in God requires a person to reject what they can observe in nature. Natural revelation declares the existence of God and such divine characteristics as His mighty power, His benevolence, His wisdom, and His providence. By rejecting natural revelation, the unbelieving hypocrites in Israel resembled the heathen, whom Paul wrote about in Romans 1:20–21. The heathen had clear evidence of God's invisible attributes and were therefore without excuse.

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.

Accessed 5/5/2024 5:32:10 AM