Psalm 28:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The LORD is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed.

NIV: The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.

NASB: The Lord is their strength, And He is a refuge of salvation to His anointed.

CSB: The Lord is the strength of his people; he is a stronghold of salvation for his anointed.

NLT: The Lord gives his people strength. He is a safe fortress for his anointed king.

KJV: The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.

NKJV: The Lord is their strength, And He is the saving refuge of His anointed.

As he closes out this psalm, David encourages the faithful people within Israel. He states that the Lord is their strength and the salvation of their king. This reference to "the saving refuge of his anointed" implies that those whom God chooses, He also protects. Nowhere is this more clearly seen than in God's promise to send a Messiah (Isaiah 9:6–7; 2 Samuel 7:16). Although nations tried to destroy Israel, the Lord always protected a remnant to ensure the arrival of the Messiah. Centuries after David, God even used the power of Rome to move Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem. There, the Messiah was born in fulfillment of the prophecy that Bethlehem Ephrathah would bring forth the Lord's appointed ruler of Israel (Micah 5:2; Luke 2:1–7).

David also knew from experience that the Lord was his saving refuge. He had protected him from Goliath (1 Samuel 17:37, 50), Saul (1 Samuel 27:1–4), and the Philistines (2 Samuel 5:19). But the Lord's primary anointed one is the Messiah, Jesus. When Jesus was an infant, the Lord protected Him from Herod's hateful decree to kill all the male Jewish infants (Matthew 2:16–18). He also saved Him from the Devil's many attempts to destroy Him (Matthew 4:1–11). Further, He saved Him from death's grip by raising Him from the grave (Matthew 28:8–10). Someday, the Lord will inaugurate Jesus as King over all the earth (Revelation 19:11–16).

Psalm 28:8–9 comes after David has prayed to the Lord as his Rock. He requested help in the face of his enemies. He urged the Lord to punish the wicked in proportion to their evil. Next, he praised God for answering his prayer by giving him power and protection. Now he expands his perspective to include all the Lord's people. He views the Lord as the power and protection of His people, and he asks God to bless them and shepherd them forever.

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.