Psalms 28

1 [A Psalm] of David. Unto thee, Jehovah, do I call; my rock, be not silent unto me, lest, [if] thou keep silence toward me, I become like them that go down into the pit.

A psalm of David. Lord, my rock, I'm calling out to you. Please listen to me! For if you don't respond, I'll be like those who go down into the grave.

2 Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward the oracle of thy holiness.

Listen as I appeal for mercy, as I call for help, as I hold up my hands in prayer towards your holy Temple.

3 Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, who speak peace to their neighbours, and mischief is in their heart.

Don't drag me off with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak nicely to their neighbors while in their minds they're plotting evil.

4 Give them according to their doing, and according to the wickedness of their deeds; give them after the work of their hands, render to them their desert.

Give them what they deserve for their evil actions. Pay them back for what they've done. Give them the reward they've earned!

5 For they regard not the deeds of Jehovah, nor the work of his hands: he will destroy them, and not build them up.

For they don't pay any attention to what the Lord does, or to what he created. So he will destroy them—they will never be restored.

6 Blessed be Jehovah, for he hath heard the voice of my supplications.

Praise the Lord! For he has heard my appeal for mercy!

7 Jehovah is my strength and my shield; my heart confided in him, and I was helped: therefore my heart exulteth, and with my song will I praise him.

The Lord is my strength and my shield. I trust in him and he helps me. I'm so happy, and I sing my thanks to him.

8 Jehovah is their strength; and he is the stronghold of salvation to his anointed one.

The Lord gives strength to his people; he is a safe refuge for the one he has anointed.

9 Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance; and feed them, and lift them up for ever.

Save your people! Bless your “special possession”! Be their shepherd and carry them in your arms forever!