Someone called Psalm 28 another of David’s “Songs in the Night.” This expression is a quote from Job 35:10, which talks about our wonderful Lord.
“Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night?”
David begins Psalm 28 in some kind of danger. And what’s even more significant to this godly man, the Lord seems “silent” during the crisis! Here’s Psalm 28, verse 1:
“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.”
But though times are bleak, David still trusts his God, the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob. Verse 2 shows that tenacity, that fidelity:
“Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.”
The noun “oracle” means God’s WORD, “dabar” in Hebrew!
Then, using his faith as a weapon (!!!) David claims victory over the wicked, who have apparently been attacking him in some way! Psalm 28, verses 3-5. Read them please. They still represent a prayer to God … just now “about” the ungodly!
“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. 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. Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up.”
No bitterness, just Truth! Claiming God’s Word against evil!
Wow!
By now, David is much “better!” No longer discouraged (“like someone going down into a pit”), the King is now sure that (though God seemed “silent”) … He was listening all the time! Verses 6 and 7 are beautiful!
“Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications. 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.”
God has heard! And God is to be praised! In fact, David wrote a “song” about the occasion, Psalm 28!
Lastly, as we retrace the Poem’s, the Psalm’s, trajectory … David prays for other believers! This is a sign of maturing faith! Not self-centered, but focused on God’s greater family! Praying for them now …
“The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed. Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever.”
What a Psalm!
From the “depths” to the “heights!”
From “depression” to “delight!”
And just what God there did for David …
He can still do for you and me!
Amen!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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