Psa 28:1-6 | Clarke | e4.org | PSALM XXVIII A righteous man in affliction makes supplication to God, and complains of the malice of his enemies , 1-4; whom he describes as impious, and whose destruction he predicts , 5. He blesses God for hearing his prayers, and for filling him with consolation , 6, 7; then prays for God's people , 8, 9. NOTES ON PSALM XXVIII This Psalm is of the same complexion with the two preceding; and belongs most probably to the times of the captivity, though some have referred it to David in his persecutions. In the five first verses the author prays for support against his enemies, who appear to have acted treacherously against him. In the sixth and seventh he is supposed to have gained the victory, and returns with songs of triumph. The eighth is a chorus of the people sung to their conquering king . The ninth is the prayer of the king for his people. Verse 1. O Lord my rock ] tsuri not only means my rock , but my fountain , and the origin of all the good I possess. If thou be silent ] If thou do not answer in such a way as to leave no doubt that thou hast heard me, I shall be as a dead man. It is a modern refinement in theology which teaches that no man can know when God hears and answers his prayers, but by an induction of particulars , and by an inference from his promises . And, on this ground, how can any man fairly presume that he is heard or answered at all? May not his inductions be no other than the common occurrences of providence ? And may not providence be no more than the necessary occurrence of events ? And is it not possible, on this skeptic ground, that there is no God to hear or answer? True religion knows nothing of these abominations; it teaches its votaries to pray to God, to expect an answer from him, and to look for the Holy Spirit to bear witness with their spirits that they are the sons and daughters of God.

‏ Psalms 28:1-6

PSALM XXVIII

A righteous man in affliction makes supplication to God, and complains of the malice of his enemies, 1-4;

whom he describes as impious, and whose destruction he predicts, 5.

He blesses God for hearing his prayers, and for filling him with consolation, 6, 7;

then prays for God's people, 8, 9.

NOTES ON PSALM XXVIII

This Psalm is of the same complexion with the two preceding; and belongs most probably to the times of the captivity, though some have referred it to David in his persecutions. In the five first verses the author prays for support against his enemies, who appear to have acted treacherously against him. In the sixth and seventh he is supposed to have gained the victory, and returns with songs of triumph. The eighth is a chorus of the people sung to their conquering king. The ninth is the prayer of the king for his people.

Verse 1. O Lord my rock] tsuri not only means my rock, but my fountain, and the origin of all the good I possess.

If thou be silent] If thou do not answer in such a way as to leave no doubt that thou hast heard me, I shall be as a dead man. It is a modern refinement in theology which teaches that no man can know when God hears and answers his prayers, but by an induction of particulars, and by an inference from his promises. And, on this ground, how can any man fairly presume that he is heard or answered at all? May not his inductions be no other than the common occurrences of providence? And may not providence be no more than the necessary occurrence of events? And is it not possible, on this skeptic ground, that there is no God to hear or answer? True religion knows nothing of these abominations; it teaches its votaries to pray to God, to expect an answer from him, and to look for the Holy Spirit to bear witness with their spirits that they are the sons and daughters of God.

Verse 2. Toward thy holy oracle.] debir kodshecha; debir properly means that place in the holy of holies from which God gave oracular answers to the high priest. This is a presumptive proof that there was a temple now standing; and the custom of stretching out the hands in prayer towards the temple, when the Jews were at a distance from it, is here referred to.

Verse 3. Draw me not away] Let me not be involved in the punishment of the wicked.

Verse 4. Give them] Is the same as thou wilt give them; a prophetic declaration of what their lot will be.

Verse 5. They regard not the works of the Lord] They have no knowledge of the true God, either as to his nature, or as to his works.

He shall destroy them, and not build them up.] This is a remarkable prophecy, and was literally fulfilled: the Babylonian empire was destroyed by Cyrus, and never built up again; for he founded the Persian empire on its ruins. Even the place where Babylon stood is now no longer known.