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.

By David. To you, Yahweh, I call. My rock, don’t be deaf to me, lest, if you are silent to me, I would become like those who go down into the pit.

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.

Hear the voice of my petitions, when I cry to you, when I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.

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 draw me away with the wicked, with the workers of iniquity who speak peace with their neighbors, but mischief is in their hearts.

4 Punish those people in the way that they deserve for what they have done; punish them for their evil deeds [DOU].

Give them according to their work, and according to the wickedness of their doings. Give them according to the operation of their hands. Bring back on them what they deserve.

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!

Because they don’t respect the works of Yahweh, nor the operation of his hands, he will break them down and not build them up.

6 Praise Yahweh because he has heard me when I called out for him to help me!

Blessed be Yahweh, because he has heard the voice of my petitions.

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.

Yahweh is my strength and my shield. My heart has trusted in him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart greatly rejoices. With my song I will thank him.

8 Yahweh causes us to be strong and protects us; and he saves me, the one he appointed [MTY] to be king.

Yahweh is their strength. He is a stronghold of salvation to his 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, and bless your inheritance. Be their shepherd also, and bear them up forever.