Psalms 28 · Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
PSALM 28 Psa 28:1-9 . An earnest cry for divine aid against his enemies, as being also those of God, is followed by the Psalmist's praise in assurance of a favorable answer, and a prayer for all God's people. 1. my rock-- ( Psa 18:2 , 31 ). be not silent to me-- literally, "from me," deaf or inattentive. become like them, &c.-- share their fate. go down into the pit-- or, "grave" ( Psa 30:3 ).
2. lift up my hands-- a gesture of prayer ( Psa 63:4 ; 141:2 ). oracle-- place of speaking ( Ex 25:22 ; Nu 7:89 ), where God answered His people (compare Psa 5:7 ).
3. Draw me not away-- implies punishment as well as death (compare Psa 26:9 ). Hypocrisy is the special wickedness mentioned.
4. The imprecation is justified in Psa 28:5 . The force of the passage is greatly enhanced by the accumulation of terms describing their sin. endeavours-- points out their deliberate sinfulness.
5. Disregard of God's judgments brings a righteous punishment. destroy ... build ... up-- The positive strengthened by the negative form.
6. supplications-- or, "cries for mercy."
7. The repetition of "heart" denotes his sincerity.
8. The distinction made between the people. their strength-- and the anointed--may indicate Absalom's rebellion as the occasion.