PSALM 28 [†] To you, O LORD, I call;

 j my rock, be not deaf to me,

lest, if you  k be silent to me,

I become like those who  l go down to the pit.

2[†]  m Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy,

when I cry to you for help,

when I  n lift up my hands

 o toward your most holy sanctuary. [1]

3[†] Do not  p drag me off with the wicked,

with the workers of evil,

 q who speak peace with their neighbors

while evil is in their hearts.

4  r Give to them according to their work

and according to the evil of their deeds;

give to them according to the work of their hands;

 s render them their due reward.

5 Because they  t do not regard the works of the LORD

or the work of his hands,

he will tear them down and build them up no more.

6[†] Blessed be the LORD!

For he has  u heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.

7 The LORD is my strength and  v my shield;

in him my heart  w trusts, and I am helped;

my heart exults,

and with my  x song I give thanks to him.

8[^] The LORD is the strength of his people; [2]

he is  y the saving refuge of his anointed.

9 Oh, save your people and bless  z your heritage!

 a Be their shepherd and  b carry them forever.

A Psalm of David.