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