Text: Psalm 28: 28:0    OF DAVID.
1 To you, O LORD, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me, lest, if you be silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit.
2 Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to you for help, when I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary.
3    Do not drag me off with the wicked, with the workers of evil, who speak peace with their neighbors while evil is in their hearts.
4 Give to them according to their work and according to the evil of their deeds; give to them according to the work of their hands; render them their due reward.
5 Because they do not regard the works of the LORD or the work of his hands, he will tear them down and build them up no more.
6    Blessed be the LORD! for he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.
7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.
8    The LORD is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed.
9 Oh, save your people and bless your heritage! Be their shepherd and carry them forever.

Everyone eventually feels as if no one is listening when we cry for help. These times come to the most faithful of people. David knew times like this. David understood that God still listened to him, but at times he wondered whether God would work in time to protect him from whatever came.

Psalm 28 describes at least one of those times. David exemplified the best believer: loyal to God, trusting in God’s care, and knowing that God had never forsaken him.

First, David called to the LORD in a time of distress. David’s words in verses 1-3 both describe his despair and give us a clue as to what may have happened. David referred to the LORD as his “rock.” The word “rock” referred to God’s presence in his life; the term “rock” implied stability and permanence as well as defense.

David feared that if God was “deaf” to him, he was as bad off as those who “go down to the pit.” God’s silence would imply that David was no better off than those who never believed in God in the first place. David continued to cry to God for help, however, lifting his hands to the “most holy sanctuary.” The word David used here refers to the Holy of Holies in the sanctuary.

David feared the silence of God, but he still wanted God to work for His people, especially regarding the “wicked.” David expected God to work justly even if He worked silently. In verses 3-5, David described the wicked and called on God to “give to them according to their work and according to the evil of their deeds.” David wanted the wicked to get what they deserved. This plea does not contradict the Scriptures for mercy; these people had intentionally refused to act justly, even though they knew what God expected of them.

David finished this psalm with a blessing of the LORD. God had worked to save him by hearing his “pleas for mercy” or “supplication.” God not only heard David, but He also gave David visible, tangible evidence He was working to protect David.

David continued to praise God for His gracious work. David had referred to God as his “rock;” now, he called Him the “strength of His people” and the “saving refuge of His anointed.” David knew that his army did not protect Israel; God protected Israel, but only as the people of Israel lived in faithfulness to God’s commands. Therefore, David called on the LORD to “bless your heritage” and “be their shepherd.” In other words, David wanted God to bless His saints by guiding them in righteous acts. As long as the LORD “carried” His people, David knew they would enjoy the protection and blessing of God. The people would bless the LORD by serving as faithful witnesses of His grace, His care, and His faithfulness to those who believed in Him.

Can we expect God to act for His people today? We know that God has worked in a way that David didn’t: We know that God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our salvation and be raised again for our eternal life. If God would send His Son to die for us, we know He will work to protect us and provide for us in every aspect of life.

David’s wonderful psalm reminds us that God always hears us; He is always listening to the cries of His saints. When in despair, cry to the LORD, for He always hears us.