Psalms 28
1 Yahweh, I call out to you; [you are like an overhanging] rock [under which I can hide]. Do not refuse to answer me, because if you are silent, I will soon be with those who are in their graves.
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 Listen to me when I call out for you [to help me], when I pray, lifting up my hands as I face your sacred temple.
Listen as I appeal for mercy, as I call for help, as I hold up my hands in prayer towards your holy Temple.
3 Do not drag me away with wicked people, with those who do wicked deeds, with those who pretend [to act] peacefully toward others while in their inner beings, they hate them.
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 Punish those people in the way that they deserve for what they have done; punish them for their evil deeds [DOU].
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 Yahweh, they do not pay attention to the [wonderful] things that you have done and that you have created; so get rid of them permanently and do not let them appear again!
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 Praise Yahweh because he has heard me when I called out for him to help me!
Praise the Lord! For he has heard my appeal for mercy!
7 Yahweh makes me strong and [protects] me [like a shield] [MET]; I trusted in him, and he helped me. I was glad, and from my inner being I praised him as I sang to 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 Yahweh causes us to be strong and protects us; and he saves me, the one he appointed [MTY] to be king.
The Lord gives strength to his people; he is a safe refuge for the one he has anointed.
9 Yahweh, save/rescue your people; bless those who belong to you. [Take care of them like] a shepherd [takes care of his sheep] [MET]; take care of them forever.
Save your people! Bless your “special possession”! Be their shepherd and carry them in your arms forever!
