Verse 1

Psalm 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.

my rock — (Psalm 18:2, Psalm 18:31).

be not silent to me — literally, “from me,” deaf or inattentive.

become like them, etc. — share their fate.

go down into the pit — or, “grave” (Psalm 30:3).

Verse 2

lift up my hands — a gesture of prayer (Psalm 63:4; Psalm 141:2).

oracle — place of speaking (Exodus 25:22; Numbers 7:89), where God answered His people (compare Psalm 5:7).

Verse 3

Draw me not away — implies punishment as well as death (compare Psalm 26:9). Hypocrisy is the special wickedness mentioned.

Verse 4

The imprecation is justified in Psalm 28:5. The force of the passage is greatly enhanced by the accumulation of terms describing their sin.

endeavours — points out their deliberate sinfulness.

Verse 5

Disregard of God‘s judgments brings a righteous punishment.

destroy … build … up — The positive strengthened by the negative form.

Verse 6

supplications — or, “cries for mercy.”

Verse 7

The repetition of “heart” denotes his sincerity.

Verse 8

The distinction made between the people.

their strength — and the anointed — may indicate Absalom‘s rebellion as the occasion.

Verse 9

The special prayer for the people sustains this view.

feed them — as a shepherd (Psalm 23:1, etc.).