Psalms 28

1 Of David. My cry goes up to you, O Lord, my Rock; do not keep back your answer from me, so that I may not become like those who go down into the underworld.

Of David. Unto you, O Lord, do I cry; my rock, be not deaf to me: lest, through holding your peace, I become like those who go down to the pit.

2 Give ear to the voice of my prayer, when I am crying to you, when my hands are lifted up to your holy place.

Hear my loud entreaty, as I cry for help to you, lifting my hands, O Lord, towards your holy chancel.

3 Do not take me away with the sinners and the workers of evil, who say words of peace to their neighbours, but evil is in their hearts.

Take me not off with the wicked, nor with the workers of wrong, whose speech to their neighbours is friendly, while evil is in their heart.

4 Give them the right reward of their acts, and of their evil doings: give them punishment for the works of their hands, let them have their full reward.

Give them as they have done, as their wicked deeds deserve. As their hands have wrought, so give to them: requite to them their deserts.

5 Because they have no respect for the works of the Lord, or for the things which his hands have made, they will be broken down and not lifted up by him.

They are blind to all that the Lord does, to all that his hands have wrought; and so he will tear them down, to build them up no more.

6 May the Lord be praised, because he has given ear to the voice of my prayer.

Blest be the Lord, who has heard my voice as I plead for mercy.

7 The Lord is my strength and my breastplate, my heart had faith in him and I am helped; for this cause my heart is full of rapture, and I will give him praise in my song.

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him. I was helped: so my heart is exultant, and in my song I will praise him.

8 The Lord is their strength, and a strong place of salvation for his king.

The Lord is the strength of his people, the fortress who saves his anointed.

9 Be a saviour to your people, and send a blessing on your heritage: be their guide, and let them be lifted up for ever.

O save your people, and bless your inheritance. Be their shepherd and carry them forever.