Ps 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-- (Ps 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" (Ps 30:3).

      2. lift up my hands--a gesture of prayer (Ps 63:4; 141:2).
      oracle--place of speaking (Ex 25:22; Nu 7:89), where God answered His people (compare Ps 5:7).

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

      4. The imprecation is justified in Ps 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.

      9. The special prayer for the people sustains this view.
      feed them--as a shepherd (Ps 23:1, &c.).