Psalms 28:1

PSALM 28

AN ANSWERED PRAYER

Of many excellent titles which have been suggested by writers, we have chosen this one by Kyle Yates.[1]

The organization of the psalm is simple. There are just two divisions: (1) The Prayer (Psalms 28:1-5); and (2) The Answer (Psalms 28:6-9).

The ancient title which has come down to us identifies this as "A Psalm of David"; and Barnes assures us that, "There is no need for doubting the correctness of the inscription."[2]

Delitzsch identified the occasion for this psalm as that of the rebellion of Absalom, calling it, along with Psalms 26,27, "The third psalm belonging to the time of the persecution by Absalom."[3]

Psalms 28:1

"Unto thee, O Jehovah, will I call.

My rock, be not thou deaf unto me;

Lest if thou be silent unto me,

I become like them that go down into the pit."

"My rock, be not thou deaf unto me" (Psalms 28:1). The use of the term `Rock' as a name for God, "Occurs thirty-three times in the Old Testament and is expressive of the support and strength which the Lord supplies for those who seek him."[4]

"Them that go down into the pit" (Psalms 28:1). The word `pit' here, "Is frequently a metaphor for death and is often the equivalent of `Sheol.' "[5] The appearance of this kind of terminology here indicates that David indeed was fearful of losing his life. If Absalom had succeeded in his efforts to wrest the throne of Israel away from his father David, there can be no doubt whatever that David would have been executed.