Psalm 28:1–9

¹O Lord, I call to you. 

O my rock, do not turn a deaf ear to me. 

If you remain silent, 

I will be like those who go into the pit. 

²Hear my prayer for mercy when I call to you for help, 

when I lift my hands toward your most holy place. 

³Do not drag me away with wicked people, 

with troublemakers who speak of peace with their neighbors 

but have evil in their hearts. 

⁴Pay them back for what they have done, 

for their evil deeds. 

Pay them back for what their hands have done, 

and give them what they deserve. 

⁵The Lord will tear them down and never build them up again, 

because they never consider what he has done 

or what his hands have made. 

⁶Thank the Lord! 

He has heard my prayer for mercy! 

⁷The Lord is my strength and my shield. 

My heart trusted him, so I received help. 

My heart is triumphant; I give thanks to him with my song. 

⁸The Lord is the strength of his people 

and a fortress for the victory of his Messiah.^a

⁹Save your people, and bless those who belong to you. 

Be their shepherd, and carry them forever.