Psalm 28

Happy enough to sing

Help, or I’m good as dead

A psalm of David. [1]

1LORD, I need your help.
Don’t ignore me. You’re my rock.
If you keep silent and don’t help,
I’m as good as dead.
2Please listen. I’m pleading for mercy.
I’m asking for your help,
With my hands lifted high,
Reaching out toward the holy sanctuary.
3When you drag away the wicked,
Don’t take me with them.
They talk about peace with folks they know,
But they’ve got evil on their minds.
4Give them what they deserve
For the terrible things they’ve done.
Hold them accountable for their actions,
And let them feel the pain they caused others.
5They pay no attention to the LORD.
They don’t care what he does.
So, he certainly won’t support them.
Instead, he’s going to tear their little world down.
And they’ll have no hope of rebuilding.

Thanks for hearing, helping

6LORD, you’re wonderful. Thank you.
I’m so grateful you heard my prayer for help.
7The LORD is the source of my strength,
And the shield protecting me.
He’s the one who helps me. He’s the one I trust.
That’s why I’m so incredibly happy,
Happy enough to thank him with a song.
8The LORD’s people get their strength from him.
He’s their protector and he’s their savior.
9Keep your people safe
And bless their lives.
Be their shepherd
And carry them forever in your arms.

Footnotes

Intro Notes for Psalms

Intro Notes for Book 1 of 5 in Psalms

128:1

The subtitle wasn’t part of the original psalm. And the possible byline “of David,” isn’t necessarily a byline. The vague phrase could mean the song was written by David, about David, or was inspired by David. Almost half of the psalms are attributed to David in this way, 73 of 150. Ancient Jewish history tells of David playing a lyre and writing songs. For one, he wrote a song of mourning at the battlefield death of King Saul and his sons: “How have the mighty fallen!” (2 Samuel 1:19-27 New American Standard Bible). An ancient Jewish scroll from about the time of Jesus, discovered among the famous Dead Sea Scrolls, reports that David wrote 3,600 songs.