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