Psalm 28

Psalm 28:2, 7, 8-9

#443 Weekday Year I Context (Monday of the 24th Week O)

R. (6) Blessed be the Lord, for he has heard my prayer.

Hear the sound of my pleading, when I cry to you,
lifting up my hands toward your holy shrine.
R. Blessed be the Lord, for he has heard my prayer.

The Lord is my strength and my shield.
In him my heart trusts, and I find help;
then my heart exults, and with my song I give him thanks.
R. Blessed be the Lord, for he has heard my prayer.

The Lord is the strength of his people,
the saving refuge of his anointed.
Save your people, and bless your inheritance;
feed them, and carry them forever!
R. Blessed be the Lord, for he has heard my prayer.
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Commentary on Ps 28:2, 7, 8-9

The psalmist, in this selection, uses language describing the posture of prayer (see also 1 Timothy 2:8) “lifting up my hands toward your holy shrine.” The holy shrine for the Christian is Christ who rules the Kingdom of Heaven. The song continues, as a lament, asking for God’s salvation.

"The suppliant’s prayer (28:1–4). The psalmist begins his prayer by asking God to hear him (vv 1–2); the words convey a sense of desperation, as though his situation had lasted for some time, but God had not answered. The Lord to whom he prays is addressed as “my Rock”; in general terms, the word “rock” designates permanence, strength and security." [1]

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[1] Peter C. Craigie, Psalms 1–50, 2nd ed., vol. 19, Word Biblical Commentary (Nashville, TN: Nelson Reference & Electronic, 2004), 238.

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