Psalm 28 is a prayer. At least the first half of this great chapter is, a Poem of great beauty. One could almost say verse 2 continues the burden of verse 1. Watch:

“Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit. Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.” Psalm 28:1-2

The first thought: “Lord do not be silent!”

The second thought: “Hear my voice.”

This is an urgent cry for God to answer prayer.

But today we must narrow our focus. Yesterday’s Lesson comments on the opening verse. Now verse 2, in order:

“Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.” Psalm 28:2

The verb “hear” is “shama” in Hebrew, “to listen.” It can also carry the stronger idea “to consent!” And it is here expressed in the imperative mood! Much of Old Testament prayer is. Urgently asking God to respond! Today, unlike then, we have such promises as Matthew 7:7-11, from the Words of Jesus Himself! “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”

In Psalm 28:2 the noun “supplications” means “intreaties.” It is derived from a root word (“chanan” in Hebrew) meaning “to be gracious, to show pity.” It’s the “mercy” word of the Old Testament. In fact, this noun is translated “mercy” 16 times yet “supplication” 10 times in the King James Bible.

So … no “demand” is being made on God (despite the imperative mood), just a “yearning” for His great Mercy! Expressed verbally, obviously.

The verb “cry” is “shava,” relatively rare in the Bible, occurring only 21 times total. It once means “to shout!” It does carry the idea of “loudly” praying.

“Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.” Psalm 28:2

Then the “lifting up” of hands is equated with “crying” unto God. It’s just another prayer posture suggested in Scripture. It can also be a sign of praise.

The “oracle” of our verse refers to the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle. In essence, the Place where God dwells. Today we would say “in Heaven.”

I’m noticing that the verse is neatly constructed into three parts. It’s “trinitarian” one might say!

“Hear the voice of my supplications.”

“I cry unto thee.”

“I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.”

Saying the same thing three slightly different ways!

And did God “answer” this prayer?

YES!

All you must do to verify this conclusion is read the rest of the Psalm!

Soon David stops praying (having been heard) and begins talking about his great God!

That’s the Nature of the Lord!

He is the Supplier of our needs.

He is our ALL.

Like the Psalmist elsewhere said, “All our ‘springs’ are in Him.”

Word for word, “All my springs are in Thee.” Psalm 87:7

Amen!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

 

 

 

OUR SERIES OF STUDIES ON PSALM 28 IS JUST BEGINNING, TODAY WE NOTICE VERSE 1:

The first verse, as is true of so many Psalms, is a prayer. Listen to David: “Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.” Psalm 28:1

The verb “cry” is important. “Qara” in Hebrew means “to call out loud!” This is NOT silent prayer! It is urgent prayer, vocally begging God to work.

The LORD as “Rock” is interesting. “Tzsur” means “a block of stone,” or “a wall of granite,” actually a place to hide for safety. I am so glad we do have a “hiding place” in Jesus! Look at Psalm 119:114, spoken directly to God. “Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.”

The request to “be not silent” means “do not hold Thy peace, Lord.” Do not “be still!” Implying that David has gone a while not hearing from God!

And the last clause in the verse … “lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit“ … suggests David will die without God’s intervention! “Going down into the pit” (spelled “bor” and meaning “well, dungeon, cistern”) is an Old Testament way of talking about death, the grave.

Here is a man who feels it a NECESSITY that he speak with God!

He is “dying” to hear from Heaven!

“Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.”

Yes, this is what James would call “effectual fervent prayer!”

And I predict, God will answer the Psalmist’s plea!

Yours too, for that matter.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

THIS IS THE FIRST LESSON IN A SERIES ON THE 28th PSALM. A NEW ARTICLE EACH DAY, THE LORD WILLING.

The Psalm only presents 9 verses, but they are divinely inspired and (I believe) without error, “inerrant.” It is labeled “A Psalm of David.” In our study that stands as fact, too. Although, unlike many of David’s Psalms, we do not have even a small “clue” as to when he wrote the Poem, the exact circumstances surrounding its composition.

One old writer calls this Text another of David’s “Songs in the Night,” written while the King was in despair, in danger, at least distraught.

Another Bible student says Psalm 28 “naturally” follows Psalm 27, being its “sequel.” For example, notice the last verse of Psalm 27 and consider how “smoothly” it introduces, leads into Psalm 28. “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”

Then, in Psalm 28 (all 9 verses) David “waits,” trusting the Lord!

Wow!

Here’s the whole Psalm, short enough for each of us to read, several times when possible.

“Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit. ² Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle. ³ Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts. ⁴ Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert. ⁵ Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up. ⁶ Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications. ⁷ The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. ⁸ The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed. ⁹ Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever.”

In sum, the Psalm’s 9 verses can be arranged as follows:

Verses 1 and 2 clearly plead for the Lord’s “Ear.” Begging God to answer. Trusting the Lord to not be “silent.” Vibrant faith in the midst of adversity!

Verses 3-5 seem to discuss the “wicked.” Categorizing their ungodly ways. I suspect verse 5 is going to be my “favorite” in this paragraph. I see therein all kinds of preaching!

Then verses 6-8 are pure praise!

Lastly, verse 9, like so many of the Bible’s “Hymns” ends on a “high note” of joy, of victory. No matter the “battle” which preceded it.

I partly selected this Psalm for us to study a few days … because it is so “generic.” I doubt anyone has ever said “This one’s my favorite!” Out of the 150 Chapters in the Psalter. But it is precious. And worthy of study. And, more than we will ever know, LOADED with meaning!

Now, the Lord willing, more tomorrow, verse 1.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

 

 

AN INTEPRETATION OF PSALM 20, FROM A MESSIANIC POINT OF VIEW …

First, let me share with you the whole Psalm, once again. It’s short, but powerful!

“The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; ² Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion; ³ Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah. ⁴ Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel. ⁵ We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions. ⁶ Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. ⁷ Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. ⁸ They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright. ⁹ Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.”

The entire Poem can be viewed with Jesus in mind!

Jesus, as You pray, even from Heaven right now: “The LORD (God the Father) hear thee (God the Son) in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion.” Psalm 20, its first two verses!

Oh, how Jesus needed these words to be prayed for Him … especially at Gethsemane! He even there “hinted” at prayer with this question: “And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?” Matthew 26:40

But WHY should the Father hear Jesus’ Prayers? Because of Calvary, for one Reason! “Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice.” (Psalm 20:3) What a Burnt Sacrifice, the Darling Son of God, the fulfillment of all burnt sacrifices!

Wow!

And Jesus even now is (still) praying for us! As Intercessor, from the Father’s Right hand! (“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25 where “save” means “to deliver.”) Thus Psalm 20:4 is extremely appropriate! “Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.” God always hears His Son’s Prayers! Jesus at Lazarus’ graveside, praying: “Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it (prayed it), that they may believe that thou hast sent me.” Yes, our Saviour’s “counsel” will be granted!

Even more so, “The Lord fulfil ALL Thy petitions!” Of Whom could this be prayed, totally and unreservedly, other than the Son of God? Whoever, but Him, deserved ALL their prayers to be answered, no exceptions!

And, almost as if offering concrete “proof” of the Psalm’s true Focus being Jesus … “Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.” (Psalm 20:6) Jesus is God’s “Anointed,” in Hebrew spelled “Mashiyach,” or “Messiah!”

Praying for Jesus!

For Him Who is praying for us!

Then look with me at this “closing” to the Psalm. “Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.” Praying so the “King” (so Jesus in  my view this morning) will know, will hear, will be glorified!

Heavenly Father, PROSPER all Thy Son does today, all His purposes!

Even to the allowing of His Second Coming, “Thy Will be done.”

Like this: “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” Revelation 22:20, the Bible’s very last prayer!

And lest you think I am being “eccentric” here, I found the following quote about Psalm 20, by a godly man of history, Andrew Bonar, a preacher of renown. “This Psalm is the prayer which the Church might be supposed offering up, had all the redeemed stood by the cross, or in Gethsemane, in full consciousness of what was happening there. Messiah, in reading these words, would know that He had elsewhere the sympathy He craved, when He said to the three disciples, “Tarry ye here, and watch with Me.” Matthew 26:38. It is thus a pleasant song, of the sacred singer of Israel, to set forth the feelings of the redeemed in their Head, whether in His sufferings or in the glory that was to follow.”

To which I say, “Surely this is holy ground!”

                       — Dr. Mike Bagwell

PSALM 20, VERSE BY VERSE:

Today the Psalm reaches its end, its goal!

Having “prayed” for eight verses, the writer longs, desires:

“Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.”  Psalm 20:9

The whole thing has been prayed for the “king?”

It’s almost like this last verse re-states the entire supplication!

But, is this King David?

If so, praying for one’s leader (nationally) isn’t a bad idea! Paul encourages us to do so in 1st Timothy 2:1-3. “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour.”

But maybe the Psalm has encouraged us to pray for “anyone” who is in “authority” over our lives! For our “king” in that sense! A student for his or her teacher, for example. A wife for her husband. A man for his employer. An athlete for his coach. A church member for his or her pastor.

Then perhaps, and I lean this way, we are being taught to pray for the only real King, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Praying for our Intercessor!

If so, the prayers could be worded as follows:

Heavenly Father, save and deliver and protect me.

I call on Thee in prayer.

Let the King (Jesus Thy Son) hear me as I do.

And through His Name … grant my request I ask.

Amen.

Yes, that’s the idea.

In our dear old King James Bible once again:

“Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.”  Psalm 20:9

Praise the Lord!

Now, having suggested these different avenues of approach to Psalm 20 … anyone who has read these comments (a lesson for each verse) should be able to enhance his or her prayer life.

May God grant it to be so.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell