Psalm 28:3-5

Psalm 28:3-5

 
Psalm 28:3 “Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts.”
 
[This is not what most people think of as evil—appearing to be cordial–but would label as goodness! Yet you, Lord, look beyond appearances to the motives, at the intent of the heart and label this fake cordialness as sin. Lord, help us to also be intent on seeing our sins as you view them, and being harsh with the evil in our motives, rejecting it and living instead with love and grace in our hearts towards our neighbors.]
 
Psalm 28:4 “Repay them for their deeds and for their evil work; repay them for what their hands have done and bring back upon them what they deserve.”
 
[You, Lord God are a righteous and loving God, therefore you deal with what is evil. You, Lord Jesus, will come as judge and bring clear, just, right condemnation on those who have refused to believe in you, on those who refuse the truth and live according to their own ideas.
 
Praise you, Heavenly Father, that you do not allow evil to go unchecked now and unjudged in the future. I can trust you fully to do what is righteous and merciful, as you have made it possible for everyone to have their record of evil wiped clean with the blood of Christ–if only they will believe in Him.]
 
Psalm 28:5 “Since they show no regard for the works of the LORD and what his hands have done,”
 
[This is a description of selfish independence from God, a rejection of His values, His work, His Word. They do not acknowledge Truth, God, His divinity or His marvelous accomplishments. All is natural, all is science, all is man-centered. And all who live so will fail.]
 
“he will tear them down and never build them up again.”
 
[They are fighting God, and it is futile. He will win in the end in righteousness. They will fail in rebellion. They will fail both in this world and in the judgment to come, because you, Lord God, are sovereign, the One to be obeyed, revered, glorified and honored. I praise you for your goodness and purity, your hatred of evil and love of righteousness. In you we can trust!
 
As you have, in your mercy and grace, clothed me in the righteousness of Christ, may, by your power, my life be the opposite of those described above, so that you may be honored in my words, revered in my actions, exalted in my reactions, and praised in my relationships.]