Psalms 28

David prayeth very fervently for himself, and against his Enemies, whose wickedness he describeth: and feeling the fruit of his prayer, he praiseth God, and prayeth for the preservation of the whole Church.

1. (A Psalm) of David. To thee I cry LORD, my Rock, withhold thee not as deaf, from me. [Or hold not thy peace, be not silent from me: Understand, by turning away thy self, or thine ears from me, leaving, or abandoning me, without speaking to, or answering me, and actually manifesting, that thou doest hear me. Compare this manner of speaking with 1 Kings 22.on verse 3. 1 Sam.7.8. Job 13:13. Spoken of God, after the manner of men; who is said to carry himself as deaf, and to be silent or hold his peace, and not to answer, when as yet he forbears to shew by actual help and deliverance, that he hath heard the prayers of his. Oth. Hold, or carry not thy self as deaf against me, and so again presently, silent against me, Compare Job 13:13. with the annotation] left (if) thou be silent from me, I be likened to those, which descend into the pit. [i.e. into the grave, as dead, or as frighted men and beasts, are easily apt to fall into some pit or hole, and perish there.]

2. Hear the voice of my supplication, when I cry unto thee: when I lift up my hands [As doth often happen in praying, in token of the lifting up of the heart unto God, and expecting of a blessing from him through the Messiah. Compare 1 Kings 8.on verse 22. Psalms 88:10. and 141.2. Lam.2.19. and 3.41.] towards the oratory of thy holiness, i.e. toward thy holy oratory, where the Ark of the covenant is a Type of the Messiah See 1 Kings 6.on verse 5.]

3. Do not draw me away [i.e. Destroy me not, draw me not away to the grave. Compare Psalm 26.on verse 9. And see Job 21:33. and 24.22. Ezek.32.20. where the Hebrew word is used in the same sence] with the wicked, and with the workers of unrighteousness, which speak of peace with their Neighbour, but evil is in their heart.

4. Give them according to their doing, and according to the malice of their dealings: give them according to the work of their hands: make their recompense return unto them.

5. Because they do not take notice of (or, give heed to) the actions of the LORD, nor of the works of his hands; therefore he shall break them down, and shall not build them. [i.e. not exalt them to a firm, or lasting state and condition; item, not propagate them, or, not spread and dilate their generation. Compare Gen.16.on verse 2. Job 22.on v.23. Jer.24.6. and 31.28. item Prov.14.on v.1.]

6. Praised [Heb. Blessed] be the LORD; for he hath heard the Voice of my supplications.

7. The LORD is my strength, and my shield, on him my heart hath put its trust, and I am holpen; for this my heart doth leap for joy, and I shall praise him with my song.

8. The LORD is their strength, [Not mine alone, but of his whole Church, of all the faithful] and he is the fortitude of the Salvations of his Anointed. [or, of the preservations, over comings of his Anointed, i.e. he that hath so hath so often saved and delivered me, his anointed, by his power, or the strength of deliverances; or, of the perfect salvation (that is, the perfect saving strength) is his Anointed, viz. The Messiahs, the LORD Christ, typified by David.]

9. Deliver [Or, save, preserve, give salvation to] thy people, and bless thine inheritance; and feed them, (pasce illos) [as a shepherd doth his Sheep. See Psal.23.] and exalt them, or carry them, bear them] unto Eternity.