Psalm 28--The LORD Is My Strength and My Shield

Psalm 28
English Standard Version

The LORD Is My Strength and My Shield​
Of David.
28 To you, O LORD, I call;
    my rock, be not deaf to me,
lest, if you be silent to me,
    I become like those who go down to the pit.
2 Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy,
    when I cry to you for help,
when I lift up my hands
    toward your most holy sanctuary.

3 Do not drag me off with the wicked,
    with the workers of evil,
who speak peace with their neighbors
    while evil is in their hearts.
4 Give to them according to their work
    and according to the evil of their deeds;
give to them according to the work of their hands;
    render them their due reward.
5 Because they do not regard the works of the LORD
    or the work of his hands,
he will tear them down and build them up no more.

6 Blessed be the LORD!
    For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.
7 The LORD is my strength and my shield;
    in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults,
    and with my song I give thanks to him.

8 The LORD is the strength of his people;
    he is the saving refuge of his anointed.
9 Oh, save your people and bless your heritage!
    Be their shepherd and carry them forever.

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David again asks that God hear his prayers and answer them--a Rock that is steadfast and sure, but not "deaf" or mute like gods of the pagans who worshiped images of gold, silver, wood, and stone.  In fact, that is how God describes these false gods that had no power to help them.  We'll see this more clearly when we get to Psalm 115 (see verse 5 and 7) as well as Psalm 135 (see verse 16).  Also see Isaiah 46:7, Jeremiah 10:5, Habakkuk 2:18-19, and 1 Corinthians 12:2.  It is a common theme of Scripture to describe these gods as "deaf," "mute" and sometimes "blind."  Our God is not like that.  If He were like that, He would not have any power to save us, and David says that he would be destined for "the pit," probably referring to a pit that is used as a prison or dungeon.  So, know that God both hears and answers, David ones again turns heart, eyes and hands to heaven to cry out to the LORD who hears and answers our prayers.

It seems that David, like all of us struggles with the flesh and the devil accusing him of the sins that God has already forgiven and lying to him about the certainty of the salvation that the LORD provides.  David is concerned that he would be caught up in the judgment of the wicked.  Yes, David has done some wicked things deserving of judgment, but the LORD forgave those sins and they are done with.  David prays for the evil to be judged by their works (those outside of Christ will be), but to hear his cries (the cries of ones who belong to God, whom God has declared righteous through Christ) to have mercy on him--to not give him the punishment that he deserves.

David then says that the LORD is his strength and his shield and his salvation.  He is worthy of our praise for who He is and what He has done for us, in us, and through us.  All who are in Him find safety and refuge in Him (David gives the answer to his own doubts of being swept away in the judgment of the ungodly).  Then David cries out for God to be who He is--the Savior and Shepherd of His people.  We need Him to carry us forever!