Psa 28:6-9 | KingComments | STEP | In , David praises the LORD that He has heard “the voice of my supplication” (cf. ). The supplication of now gives way to praise, for the LORD has heard the prayer. He is not deaf to him. He has clung to God as “my strength and my shield” ( ). The word “my” makes it clear that David is an ‘experience expert’, he has experienced that the LORD has answered his prayer and that brings him to praise. In God’s strength he has been able to push back his enemies. Because God is his shield, the attacks of the enemy were unsuccessful. A shield provides shelter on one side, but God protects on all sides. His heart continued to trust in Him. That is precisely why he uttered his loud supplications to Him. And behold, he was helped. His heart, which at first was so full of distress, is now full of joy about God’s help. His confidence has not been shaken. God never shames the confidence of His own who continue to hope in Him, even though He seems to be so far away. David will praise Him with his song. He expresses his gratitude in a song to His glory. In , David involves others in his experiences. David’s experiences are not unique. They are the experiences of all who put their trust in God. Therefore, the people of God can identify with David. The LORD is not only his strength, but also “their strength”. By this is meant those who are with him. Prophetically, it refers to the faithful remnant in the end time. They must learn to make the choice between trusting in people and trusting in God ( ). Ahaz chose not to trust God ( ), while Hezekiah chose to do so ( ). To his trust in the saving defense of the LORD, David immediately connects “His anointed”, which is the Messiah. Anointed is the translation of the Hebrew Messiah. Here we are talking about the anointed King. The saving defense with which the LORD assists the remnant is the same saving defense with which He assists His Messiah.

‏ Psalms 28:6-9

God Has Heard and Helped

In Psa 28:6, David praises the LORD that He has heard “the voice of my supplication” (cf. Psa 28:2). The supplication of Psa 28:1-4 now gives way to praise, for the LORD has heard the prayer. He is not deaf to him. He has clung to God as “my strength and my shield” (Psa 28:7). The word “my” makes it clear that David is an ‘experience expert’, he has experienced that the LORD has answered his prayer and that brings him to praise.

In God’s strength he has been able to push back his enemies. Because God is his shield, the attacks of the enemy were unsuccessful. A shield provides shelter on one side, but God protects on all sides. His heart continued to trust in Him. That is precisely why he uttered his loud supplications to Him. And behold, he was helped.

His heart, which at first was so full of distress, is now full of joy about God’s help. His confidence has not been shaken. God never shames the confidence of His own who continue to hope in Him, even though He seems to be so far away. David will praise Him with his song. He expresses his gratitude in a song to His glory.

In Psa 28:8, David involves others in his experiences. David’s experiences are not unique. They are the experiences of all who put their trust in God. Therefore, the people of God can identify with David. The LORD is not only his strength, but also “their strength”. By this is meant those who are with him. Prophetically, it refers to the faithful remnant in the end time. They must learn to make the choice between trusting in people and trusting in God (Psa 121:1-8). Ahaz chose not to trust God (Isa 7:12), while Hezekiah chose to do so (Isa 36:14-15).

To his trust in the saving defense of the LORD, David immediately connects “His anointed”, which is the Messiah. Anointed is the translation of the Hebrew Messiah. Here we are talking about the anointed King. The saving defense with which the LORD assists the remnant is the same saving defense with which He assists His Messiah.

Prayer for God’s People

In the previous verse, David included the Anointed in his prayer. This causes his personal need to fade into the background and that in this verse he becomes an intercessor for God’s people. He asks God four things for them. The first is: “Save Your people.” The people are God’s people. Therefore he appeals to God as the Savior of His people.

Connected to that He asks: “Bless Your inheritance.” His people is His personal property (Exo 19:4-5 ; Exo 34:9; Psa 74:2; 1Pet 2:9). In doing so, He appeals to God as the Possessor or Owner of His people. These two questions remind us of the position the people hold toward God, of the close connection between God and His people.

This leads him to two further questions that relate to the practice of the people, about the way they should go. The third question is about God’s care for them, to “be their shepherd”. He asks God if He will provide rest and food for His people who are in distress and tribulation. He appeals to God as the Shepherd of His people (Psa 23:1 ; Psa 80:1b).

The fourth question, and with this he concludes his prayer, is: “Carry them forever.” With this he appeals to God’s fatherly and motherly feelings for His people. To carry with care requires strength and love. God does not carry a burden, but His people (Deu 1:31; Isa 40:11 ; Isa 46:3). The intercessor asks God to take His people in His arms and carry them to the blessing of the realm of peace and to do so throughout the entire duration of it. By “forever” is meant the realm of peace. He carries them with “everlasting arms” (Deu 33:27; Isa 46:4).

It is a beautiful conclusion to a prayer that began with loud supplications. It ends with an appeal to God’s love and His power, in the realization of own helplessness, being unable to make it in own strength. This is a prayer that God loves to hear and answer. How wonderful it is to have a God to Whom this can be asked and of Whom we know for sure that He answers such a prayer. That God is also our God! We may ask it for ourselves and also for others.