"Ascribe to the Lord Glory and Strength"

David begins Psalm 28, a prayer for deliverance, with an intense supplication: "I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary" (verse 2; compare 1 Kings 8:6-8). In his prayer to God, David makes two requests: "Do not take me away with the wicked" (verse 3), that is, to the pit or grave (verse 1); and "Render to them [the wicked] what they deserve" (verse 4)—a just punishment.

Of course all have sinned and deserve the penalty of sin—death (see Romans 3:23; 6:23). But God has made provision for forgiving those who repent and devote their lives to him. David rightly states that the wicked have not met these conditions: "They show no regard for the works of the Lord and what his hands have done" (verse 5, NIV).

David then praises God for having heard his supplications (verse 6) and for being his strength (verse 7) as well as their strength (verse 8)—that is, the strength of His people (verse 9). Ultimately, Jesus Christ will save and bless His people. As King, He will shepherd them (returning to the imagery of Psalm 23) and will bear them up forever, lovingly carrying them (see Isaiah 9:6-9; Isaiah 40:11).