TRV
Translation
King James Version
Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.
Complete Jewish Bible
Hear the sound of my prayers when I cry to you, when I lift my hands toward your holy sanctuary.
Berean Standard Bible
Hear my cry for mercy when I call to You for help, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.
American Standard Version
Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, When I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.
World English Bible Messianic
Hear the voice of my petitions, when I cry to you, when I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Heare the voyce of my petitions, when I crie vnto thee, when I holde vp mine handes towarde thine holy Oracle.
Young's Literal Translation
Hear the voice of my supplications, In my crying unto Thee, In my lifting up my hands toward thy holy oracle.
In the KJVVerse 14,302 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Psalms 28 verses 1–5
1 ¶ A Psalm of David. Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.
2 Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.
3 Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts.
4 Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert.
5 Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up.
In these verses David is very earnest in prayer.
I. He prays that God would graciously hear and answer him, now that, in his distress, he called upon him, Psa 28:1, Psa 28:2. Observe his faith in prayer: O Lord, my rock, denoting his belief of God's power (he is a rock) and his dependence upon that power - "He is my rock, on whom I build my hope." Observe his fervency in prayer: "To thee will I cry, as one in earnest, being ready to sink, unless thou come in with seasonable succour." And observe how solicitous he is to obtain an answer: "Be not silent to me, as one angry at my prayers, Psa 80:4. Lord, speak to me, answer me with good words and comfortable words (Zac 1:13); though the thing I pray for has not been given me, yet let God speak to me joy and gladness, and make me to hear them. Lord, speak for me, in answer to my prayers, plead my cause, command deliverances for me, and thus hear and answer the voice of my supplications." Two things he pleads: - 1. The sad despair he should be in if God slighted him: "If thou be silent to me, and I have not the tokens of thy favour, I am like those that go down into the pit (that is, I am a dead man, lost and undone); if God be not my friend, appear not to me and appear not for me, my hope and my help will have perished." Nothing can be so cutting, so killing, to a gracious soul, as the want of God's favour and the sense of his displeasure. I shall be like those that go down to hell (so some understand it); for what is the misery of the damned but this, that God is ever silent to them and deaf to their cry? Those are in some measure qualified for God's favour, and may expect it, who are thus possessed with a dread of his wrath, and to whom his frowns are worse than death. 2. The good hopes he had that God would favour him: I lift up my hands towards thy holy oracle, which denotes, not only an earnest desire, but an earnest expectation, thence to receive an answer of peace. The most holy place within the veil is here, as elsewhere, called the oracle; there the ark and the mercy-seat were, there God was said to dwell between the cherubim, and thence he spoke to his people, Num 7:89. That was a type of Christ, and it is to him that we must lift up our eyes and hands, for through him all good comes from God to us. It was also a figure of heaven (Heb 9:24); and from God as our Father in heaven we are taught to expect an answer to our prayers. The scriptures are called the oracles of God, and to them we must have an eye in our prayers and expectations. There is the word on which God hath caused and encouraged us to hope.
II. He deprecates the doom of wicked people, as before (Psa 26:9, "Gather not my soul with sinners): Lord, I attend thy holy oracle, draw me not away from that with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity," Psa 28:3. 1. "Save me from being entangled in the snares they have laid for me. They flatter and cajole me, and speak peace to me; but they have a design upon me, for mischief is in their heart; they aim to disturb me, nay, to destroy me. Lord, suffer me not to be drawn away and ruined by their cursed plots; for they have, can have, no power, no success, against me, except it be given them from above." 2. "Save me from being infected with their sins and from doing as they do. Let me not be drawn away by their fallacious arguments, or their allurements, from the holy oracle (where I desire to dwell all the days of my life), to practise any wicked works;" see Psa 141:4. "Lord, never leave me to myself, to use such arts of deceit and treachery for my safety as they use to my ruin. Let no event of Providence be an invincible temptation to me, to draw me either into the imitation or into the interest of wicked people." Good men dread the way of sinners; the best are sensible of the danger they are in of being drawn aside into it; and therefore we should all pray earnestly to God for his grace to keep us in our integrity. 3. "Save me from being involved in their doom; let me not be led forth with the workers of iniquity, for I am not one of those that speak peace while war is in their hearts." Note, Those that are careful not to partake with sinners in their sins have reason to hope that they shall not partake with them in their plagues, Rev 18:4.
III. He imprecates the just judgments of God upon the workers of iniquity (Psa 28:4): Give them according to their deeds. This is not the language of passion or revenge, nor is it inconsistent with the duty of praying for our enemies. But, 1. Thus he would show how far he was from complying with the workers of iniquity, and with what good reason he had begged not to be drawn away with them, because he was convinced that they could not be made more miserable then to be dealt with according to their deeds. 2. Thus he would express his zeal for the honour of God's justice in the governing world. "Lord, they think all well that they do, and justify themselves in their wicked practices. Lord, give them after the work of their hands, and so undeceive those about them, who think there is no harm in what they do because it goes unpunished," Psa 94:1, Psa 94:2. 3. This prayer is a prophecy that God will, sooner or later, render to all impenitent sinners according to their deserts. If what has been done amiss be not undone by repentance, there will certainly come a reckoning day, when God will render to every man who persists in his evil deeds according to them. It is a prophecy particularly of the destruction of destroyers: "They speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts; Lord, give them according to their deeds, let the spoilers be spoiled, and let those be treacherously dealt with who have thus dealt treacherously;" see Isa 33:1; Rev 18:6; Rev 13:10. Observe, He foretels that God will reward them, not only according to their deed, but according to the wickedness of their endeavours; for sinners shall be reckoned with, not only for the mischief they have done, but for the mischief they would have done, which they designed, and did what they could to effect. And, if God go by this rule in dealing with the wicked, surely he will do so in dealing with the righteous, and will reward them, not only for the good they have done, but for the good they have endeavoured to do, though they could not accomplish it.
IV. He foretels their destruction for their contempt of God and his hand (Psa 28:5): "Because they regard not the works of the Lord and the operations of his hands, by which he manifests himself and speaks to the children of men, he will destroy them in this world and in the other, and not build them up." Note, A stupid regardlessness of the works of God is the cause of their ruin. Why do men question the being or attributes of God, but because they do not duly regard his handiworks, which declare his glory, and in which the invisible things of him are clearly seen? Why do men forget God, and live without him, nay, affront God, and live in rebellion against him, but because they consider not the instances of that wrath of his which is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men? Why do the enemies of God's people hate and persecute them, and devise mischief against them, but because they regard not the works God has wrought for his church, by which he has made it appear how dear it is to him? See Isa 5:12.
In singing this we must arm ourselves against all temptations to join with the workers of iniquity, and animate ourselves against all the troubles we may be threatened with by the workers of iniquity.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–5. Public domain.
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Origen of AlexandriaAD 253
SELECTIONS FROM THE PSALMS 28:2
Often, we communicate by the lifting of hands, as when Moses’ arms were lifted up and Israel was victorious. When his hands were down, the Amalekites won.… Our hands are our deeds of piety. If we store treasures in heaven, we have hands lifted to God and overcome the enemy. When, therefore, I raise my hands to God, I lift my spirit to him through my uplifted hands. Amalek is conquered by me. So, it is needful to lift your hands to God. The temple of God is his glory.
Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 28
"Hear, O Lord, the voice of my supplication, whist I pray unto You, while I hold up my hands to Your holy temple" [Psalm 28:2]. Whilst I am crucified for their salvation, who on believing become Your holy temple.
Theodoret of CyrusAD 458
COMMENTARY ON THE PSALMS 28:2
Though the temple was not yet built, he gives the name “temple” to the tabernacle in which he prayed, distant from it in body but directing his mind there. Likewise also when blessed Daniel in Babylon prayed, he opened the windows facing Jerusalem, not under the impression that God was confined there but from his knowledge that the divine manifestation occurred there.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Psalm 28:2 captures the heartfelt and urgent plea of King David, who, in a moment of profound distress or confrontation, earnestly implores God for an attentive hearing and decisive intervention. This verse vividly portrays the posture of a worshiper who, facing overwhelming circumstances, instinctively turns to the very presence of the Almighty, expressing a humble yet fervent reliance on divine responsiveness and grace. It is a cry from the depths, seeking solace and deliverance from the only true source of help.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalm 28:2 employs several powerful literary devices to convey David's fervent plea. Apostrophe is prominently featured, as David directly addresses God ("unto thee"), creating an intimate and personal tone for the prayer, highlighting the direct nature of his appeal. The phrase "voice of my supplications" utilizes metonymy, where "voice" stands for the entire act and content of his earnest prayer, emphasizing the audible and expressive nature of his appeal. There is also a strong sense of parallelism, specifically synonymous parallelism, between "Hear the voice of my supplications" and "when I cry unto thee," with the second clause reinforcing and intensifying the first, underscoring the urgency and depth of David's distress. Finally, the imagery of "lifting up my hands toward thy holy oracle" provides vivid sensory imagery and symbolism, allowing the reader to visualize David's posture of reverence and desperate yearning for divine encounter and intervention at the very seat of God's presence.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly speaks to the nature of prayer as a direct, earnest, and humble appeal to a God who hears and responds. David's posture and direction of prayer underscore the theological truth that God is not distant but accessible, and that genuine supplication, offered with a heart of dependence, reaches His very presence. The "holy oracle" points to God's commitment to dwell among His people and to be the source of their help and salvation, a place where divine communication and intervention are expected. This concept foreshadows the ultimate accessibility to God's throne of grace, not through a physical temple, but through the atoning work of Christ. The intensity of David's cry also highlights the biblical understanding that God invites and even expects His people to bring their deepest needs and fears before Him, confident in His mercy and power, knowing that He is a God who draws near to those who draw near to Him.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 28:2 serves as a timeless model for our own prayer lives, encouraging us to approach God with the same earnestness, humility, and confidence that characterized David's plea. In moments of distress, uncertainty, or profound need, we are invited to pour out our "supplications" to God, knowing that He is not indifferent to our cries but is attentive to the prayers of His children. The image of lifting hands, though a physical posture, symbolizes a spiritual posture of surrender, reverence, and open reception to God's will and grace. While we no longer have a physical "holy oracle" like the Holy of Holies, believers today have something far greater: direct, unhindered access to God's presence through Jesus Christ, our great High Priest. This verse reminds us that true help and divine intervention come from aligning ourselves with God's presence, whether in our private prayer closets or in corporate worship. Our prayers should be marked by sincerity, a deep awareness of our dependence on God, and an unwavering faith in His willingness to hear and respond according to His perfect will, trusting that He works all things for our good and His glory.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of David lifting his hands in prayer?
Answer: Lifting hands in prayer is an ancient and deeply symbolic gesture found throughout the Bible. It signifies several things: reverence and worship, surrender and submission to God's will, a posture of receiving from God's bounty, and an earnest appeal or supplication. It's a physical expression of a heart reaching out to God, often accompanying intense prayer or blessing. For David, it underscored the sincerity and desperation of his plea, demonstrating his complete reliance on God and his desire to connect with the divine presence. It's a universal posture of humility and openness before the Creator, a visible sign of an inward disposition of dependence and expectation.
Does the mention of "thy holy oracle" imply that believers today need a physical temple or sacred space to pray effectively?
Answer: No, the mention of "thy holy oracle" does not imply that believers today need a physical temple or sacred space to pray effectively. While the "holy oracle" (the Holy of Holies) was the central point of God's manifest presence in the Old Testament Tabernacle and Temple, its significance has been fulfilled and transformed in the New Covenant. Through the atoning work of Jesus Christ, the veil separating humanity from God's most holy presence was torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51), signifying that direct access to God's throne of grace is now open to all who believe (Hebrews 4:16). Therefore, our "holy oracle" is now Christ Himself, and we can approach God's presence from anywhere, at any time, through Him (John 14:6). The New Testament teaches that believers themselves are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), making every place a potential sanctuary for prayer.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's earnest plea to "Hear the voice of my supplications... when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle" finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "holy oracle," the Holy of Holies, represented the dwelling place of God's manifest presence, a sacred space accessible only to the high priest once a year. However, in Christ, the ultimate High Priest, the veil separating humanity from God's presence was torn at His crucifixion (Matthew 27:51), signifying that direct, unhindered access to God's holy presence is now open to all who believe. Jesus Himself is the true "oracle," the Word made flesh who "dwelt among us" (John 1:14), embodying God's presence in human form and serving as the perfect revelation of the Father (John 14:9). Through His finished work on the cross and His ongoing intercession at the right hand of God (Romans 8:34), we are invited to "draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith" (Hebrews 10:22), no longer needing a physical temple or a human mediator. Our prayers, offered in His name and through His perfect righteousness, are heard not just toward a holy place, but directly in the presence of God, because Christ Himself is our Way, Truth, and Life, the one through whom we come to the Father (John 14:6). He is the ultimate answer to every supplication, the one who truly hears and responds from the very throne of grace.