◄ Psalm 28 ►
Book Study • Verse Study • Study Que
Summary The LORD Is My Strength Psalm 28 beautifully encapsulates the believer's journey from despair through faith and towards deliverance and praise. It encourages us to bring our anxieties to God, trust His judgment, rejoice in His deliverance, and consistently offer praises for His unfailing love. It is a testament to God being our rock, fortress, and shepherd, always ready to provide refuge, guidance, and salvation. Verses 1-2: Desperate Plea to God In these initial verses, David pleads with God not to remain silent, but to hear his cries for help. He lifts his hands towards the sanctuary, signaling his reverence and submission to God's sovereignty. Verses 3-5: Denouncement of the Wicked David asks God to punish the wicked who speak peace to their neighbors while harboring malice in their hearts. He implores God to repay them according to their deeds, emphasizing the divine principle of retributive justice. Verses 6-7: Divine Deliverance and Trust In verse 6, David’s tone shifts as he praises God for hearing his prayers. He expresses his trust in God, who strengthens and protects him, equating God to his shield and the source of his joy. Verses 8-9: God, The Shepherd, and The King David declares that God is the strength and shield of His people and the saving refuge of His anointed. He ends with a plea for God to shepherd and carry His people forever, highlighting God's role as a caring shepherd and a triumphant king. Psalm 28 is a profound prayer of David, expressing desperate cries for God's help, a confident trust in divine deliverance, and a fervent song of gratitude. It encapsulates David's deep-seated faith in God as his rock, fortress, and shepherd, who sustains him amidst all adversities. It also underscores the contrasting fates of the wicked and the righteous under God's justice. Teaching Points David's Cry for Help The psalm begins with David urgently calling out to God, To You, O LORD, I call; my Rock, do not be deaf to me (Psalm 28:1). This highlights the importance of recognizing God as our steadfast foundation. The Danger of Silence David expresses his fear of God's silence, equating it to being like those who go down to the pit (Psalm 28:1). This illustrates the desperation and urgency in seeking God's presence. Plea for Justice David asks God to repay them according to their deeds (Psalm 28:4), emphasizing the belief in divine justice and the moral order established by God. Confidence in God's Response Despite his initial plea, David transitions to a tone of confidence, declaring, Blessed be the LORD, for He has heard my cry for mercy (Psalm 28:6). This shift underscores the assurance of God's attentiveness. Praise and Thanksgiving The psalm concludes with David praising God as his strength and shield, affirming, The LORD is the strength of His people, a stronghold of salvation for His anointed (Psalm 28:8). Practical Applications Persistent Prayer Like David, we should persistently call upon God, trusting that He hears us even when He seems silent. Trust in God's Justice In times of injustice, we can find solace in knowing that God will ultimately bring about justice according to His perfect will. Shift from Desperation to Confidence Allow your prayers to transition from desperation to confidence, trusting in God's faithfulness to respond. Incorporate Praise Make praise and thanksgiving a regular part of your prayer life, acknowledging God's past faithfulness and present help. People 1. The LORD (Yahweh) The primary person addressed in the psalm. David calls upon the LORD as his rock and implores Him not to be silent. The Hebrew name used here is "Yahweh," which signifies the covenantal God of Israel. David seeks the LORD's mercy and deliverance from his enemies. 2. David (the Psalmist) Although not explicitly named in the text of Psalm 28, the psalm is attributed to David in its title. David is the speaker who cries out to God for help and protection. He expresses his trust in the LORD and praises Him for hearing his supplications. 3. The Wicked/Workers of Iniquity These are the adversaries of David, described as those who speak peace with their neighbors while harboring malice in their hearts. David asks God not to drag him away with these evildoers and to repay them according to their deeds. In Psalm 28, the focus is primarily on the relationship between David and the LORD, with the wicked serving as a contrast to the righteous trust and praise that David offers to God. Places 1. The Sanctuary The psalmist refers to the "sanctuary" in verse 2, which symbolizes a holy place where God's presence dwells. In Hebrew, the word used is "מִקְדָּשׁ" (miqdash), indicating a sacred space, often associated with the temple in Jerusalem. 2. The Pit In verse 1, the psalmist mentions "the pit," a metaphorical place representing death or Sheol, the realm of the dead. The Hebrew term "בּוֹר" (bor) is used, which can mean a pit or grave, symbolizing a place of despair or separation from God. Events 1. David's Plea for God's Attention David begins by calling out to the Lord, asking Him not to be silent. He expresses his desperation, fearing that if God remains silent, he will be like those who go down to the pit. This reflects the Hebrew root "שָׁחַת" (shachat), meaning "pit" or "destruction." 2. Request for Mercy and Help David asks God to hear his cry for mercy as he lifts his hands toward the holy sanctuary. This act of lifting hands is a gesture of supplication and worship, rooted in the Hebrew tradition. 3. Prayer for Justice Against the Wicked David requests that God not drag him away with the wicked, who speak peace to their neighbors while harboring malice in their hearts. The Hebrew word "רָע" (ra) is used here, meaning "evil" or "wickedness." 4. Call for Retribution He asks God to repay the wicked according to their deeds and the evil of their actions, emphasizing divine justice. The Hebrew term "פָּעַל" (pa'al) refers to deeds or actions. 5. Recognition of God's Justice David acknowledges that the wicked do not regard the works of the Lord, and therefore, God will tear them down and not rebuild them. This reflects the Hebrew concept of divine retribution. 6. Praise for God's Response David blesses the Lord for hearing his cry for mercy, showing his gratitude and faith in God's responsiveness. 7. Declaration of Trust in God He declares that the Lord is his strength and shield, and his heart trusts in Him. The Hebrew word "מָעוֹז" (ma'oz) means "strength" or "fortress." 8. Rejoicing and Thanksgiving David's heart leaps for joy, and he gives thanks to God in song, expressing his confidence and joy in the Lord's salvation. 9. Prayer for God's People The psalm concludes with a prayer for God to save His people, bless His inheritance, shepherd them, and carry them forever. The Hebrew word "נָחַל" (nachal) is used for "inheritance," indicating God's possession and care for His people. Connections to Additional Scriptures Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. Prayer Points Pray for a Heart of Dependence Ask God to help you rely on Him as your rock and fortress in every situation. Seek God's Justice Pray for God's justice to prevail in situations of wrongdoing and for the strength to trust His timing. Thank God for His Faithfulness Offer prayers of thanksgiving for the ways God has answered your prayers in the past. Pray for Confidence in Prayer Request that God strengthens your faith to trust in His response to your prayers, even when it seems delayed. As we reflect on Psalm 28, may we be encouraged to approach God with both our deepest fears and our highest praises, confident in His unwavering presence and faithfulness. Bible Study Questions 1. What does the act of David lifting his hands toward the sanctuary symbolize in your perspective? 2. How do you relate to David's feeling of despair in verses 1 and 2 in today's context? 3. How does David's prayer for God's justice upon the wicked challenge or affirm your understanding of divine justice? 4. How can we discern and guard against people who "speak peace with their neighbors, while evil is in their hearts" in today's society? 5. Reflect on a time when you felt God answered your prayers like David in verse 6. How did this experience change your relationship with God? 6. In what ways can you identify God as your strength and shield in your personal life? 7. How does verse 7 inform your understanding of joy in the midst of challenges? 8. David describes God as both a shepherd and a king. How do these contrasting images enhance your understanding of God's nature? 9. What role does praise play in your spiritual journey, as reflected in this Psalm? 10. How can this Psalm encourage those who feel their prayers are not being heard? 11. How do verses 3-5 relate to the principle of reaping what we sow in modern times? 12. How can you practically 'cry out' to God in your current circumstances, as David does in this Psalm? 13. David refers to God as his rock. In what ways does this metaphor apply to your faith? 14. How might the experiences of the wicked and the righteous in this Psalm guide your daily decision-making process? 15. Verse 7 speaks about God being the strength of our hearts. How does this resonate with your personal experiences? 16. How does the final plea in verse 9 apply to the church today, and what actions does it inspire? 17. What can we learn about perseverance from David's shift from lament to praise within this Psalm? 18. How can we apply the principle of trusting in God's deliverance in our lives when faced with uncertainty? 19. How does this Psalm inspire gratitude in your spiritual walk, and how can you express this gratitude daily? 20. If God is our shepherd as David affirms, how should that influence our perspective on life's trials and tribulations? Topics 1. Plea for God’s Attention (Verses 1-2) David begins by earnestly calling upon the Lord, asking Him not to be silent. He expresses his dependence on God, likening God to a rock, a term that in Hebrew (צוּר, "tsur") signifies strength and stability. ^“To You, O LORD, I call; my Rock, do not be deaf to me. For if You remain silent, I will be like those descending to the Pit.”^ (Psalm 28:1) 2. Request for Mercy (Verse 2) David seeks God’s mercy, lifting his hands in prayer, a gesture of supplication and surrender. ^“Hear my cry for mercy when I call to You for help, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.”^ (Psalm 28:2) 3. Prayer for Justice (Verses 3-5) David asks God to distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, pleading for the wicked to receive justice for their actions. The Hebrew word for "wicked" (רָשָׁע, "rasha") conveys a sense of moral wrongness. ^“Do not drag me away with the wicked and with the workers of iniquity, who speak peace to their neighbors while malice is in their hearts.”^ (Psalm 28:3) 4. Confidence in God’s Response (Verses 6-7) David expresses gratitude and confidence that God has heard his prayers. He acknowledges God as his strength and shield, indicating trust and protection. ^“Blessed be the LORD, for He has heard my cry for mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.”^ (Psalm 28:6-7) 5. Praise for God’s Salvation (Verse 7) David’s heart rejoices, and he praises God for His saving power. The Hebrew word for "salvation" (יְשׁוּעָה, "yeshuah") implies deliverance and victory. ^“Therefore my heart exults, and with my song I will thank Him.”^ (Psalm 28:7) 6. Intercession for God’s People (Verses 8-9) David concludes with a prayer for the people of Israel, asking God to save, bless, and shepherd them. The imagery of God as a shepherd (רָעָה, "ra'ah") reflects care and guidance. ^“The LORD is the strength of His people, a stronghold of salvation for His anointed. Save Your people and bless Your inheritance; shepherd them and carry them forever.”^ (Psalm 28:8-9) Themes 1. Dependence on God for Help The psalmist begins by expressing a deep reliance on God, pleading for His assistance and not to remain silent. This theme is rooted in the Hebrew word "שָׁוַע" (shava), meaning to cry out for help. Psalm 28:1 states, "To You, O LORD, I call; my Rock, do not be deaf to me." 2. God as a Rock and Protector The imagery of God as a "Rock" signifies stability and protection. The Hebrew word "צוּר" (tsur) conveys strength and refuge. In Psalm 28:1, the psalmist refers to God as "my Rock," emphasizing trust in His unwavering support. 3. Prayer for Justice The psalmist seeks justice against the wicked, asking God to repay them according to their deeds. This theme is reflected in Psalm 28:4, "Repay them according to their deeds and for their works of evil." 4. Praise for God’s Response The psalmist transitions to praise, acknowledging God’s response to his prayers. This theme is captured in Psalm 28:6, "Blessed be the LORD, for He has heard my cry for mercy." 5. God as Strength and Shield The psalmist describes God as his strength and shield, indicating divine protection and empowerment. The Hebrew word "מָגֵן" (magen) means shield, as seen in Psalm 28:7, "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped." 6. Joy and Thanksgiving The psalmist expresses joy and gratitude for God’s help, which is a response to answered prayer. This theme is evident in Psalm 28:7, "Therefore my heart exults, and with my song I will thank Him." 7. Intercession for the People The psalm concludes with a prayer for the people of Israel, asking God to save and bless His inheritance. This theme is found in Psalm 28:9, "Save Your people and bless Your inheritance; shepherd them and carry them forever." The Hebrew word "נָחַל" (nahal) for inheritance underscores the covenant relationship between God and His people. Bible Hub Chapter Summaries and Bible Study Questions