Psalms 28:3

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Draw me not away {H4900} with the wicked {H7563}, and with the workers {H6466} of iniquity {H205}, which speak {H1696} peace {H7965} to their neighbours {H7453}, but mischief {H7451} is in their hearts {H3824}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Don't drag me off with the wicked, with those whose deeds are evil; they speak words of peace to their fellowmen, but evil is in their hearts.

Berean Standard Bible

Do not drag me away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, who speak peace to their neighbors while malice is in their hearts.

American Standard Version

Draw me not away with the wicked, And with the workers of iniquity; That speak peace with their neighbors, But mischief is in their hearts.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 28:3 is a fervent and poignant plea from David to God, expressing a deep desire not to be associated with or share the ultimate fate of those who practice deceit and hypocrisy. It vividly portrays individuals who outwardly present an image of goodwill and peace to their neighbors, yet inwardly harbor malicious intent and destructive plans. This verse underscores David's reliance on divine discernment to distinguish between the righteous and the unrighteous, and his earnest prayer for God's protection and separation from the judgment reserved for the wicked.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 28 is a profound lament that transitions into confident praise. The psalm opens with David's desperate cry for God not to remain silent, lest he be like those who go down to the pit ([Psalm 28:1](/psalms/28-1 "Psalm 28:1 - David's Cry to God")). He appeals for God to hear his supplication as he lifts his hands towards the holy sanctuary ([Psalm 28:2](/psalms/28-2 "Psalm 28:2 - Prayer for Hearing")). Verse 3 then articulates the specific nature of the danger David fears: being lumped in with the wicked who are characterized by their deceptive words and malicious hearts. This plea for distinction immediately precedes a call for divine retribution upon these very evildoers ([Psalm 28:4-5](/psalms/28-4-5 "Psalm 28:4-5 - Prayer for Retribution")), highlighting the stark contrast between David's trust in God and the wicked's disregard for His works. The psalm then shifts to a triumphant declaration of God's faithfulness and a prayer for the salvation of His people ([Psalm 28:6-9](/psalms/28-6-9 "Psalm 28:6-9 - Praise and Petition")), framing David's initial distress within a larger narrative of divine deliverance and steadfast love.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While Psalm 28 does not specify a particular historical event, it resonates deeply with the recurrent challenges David faced, often involving betrayal and hidden enemies. In the ancient Near East, political and social interactions frequently involved outward displays of courtesy and peace, even when underlying intentions were hostile. The greeting of "peace" (שָׁלוֹם - _shalom_) was a fundamental expression of goodwill and a wish for well-being. To "speak peace" while harboring "mischief" was a profound violation of trust and a dangerous form of deception. David's prayer reflects the vulnerability of individuals, even kings, to such duplicity in a world where alliances were fluid and treachery was a constant threat. His appeal for God to see beyond the facade underscores the cultural reality that human discernment could be easily misled, necessitating divine intervention to expose true character.

* **Key Themes:** This verse is pivotal in developing several key themes within the Psalter. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Divine Discernment and Justice**. David's plea implicitly acknowledges God's perfect knowledge, affirming that the Lord sees beyond outward appearances to the true intentions of the heart, a truth consistently affirmed throughout scripture, such as in [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Looks at the Heart"). Secondly, the verse exposes the **Insidiousness of Hypocrisy and Deceit**. The "workers of iniquity" are not overtly hostile but subtly dangerous, masking their evil with words of peace. This highlights the profound spiritual danger of duplicity, a warning echoed in the New Testament concerning false teachers who come in sheep's clothing but are inwardly ravenous wolves, as described in [Matthew 7:15](/matthew/7-15 "Matthew 7:15 - Beware of False Prophets"). Finally, it reinforces the theme of **Separation and Preservation of the Righteous**. David's deepest fear is not merely physical harm but spiritual and judicial association with the wicked, desiring to be preserved from their ultimate fate, a desire central to the promise of blessing for the righteous and judgment for the wicked found throughout [Psalm 1](/psalms/1 "Psalm 1 - The Way of the Righteous and the Wicked").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Draw me not away (Hebrew, _mâshak'_):** This primitive root (H4900) means "to draw," used in a great variety of applications (including to sow, to sound, to prolong, to develop, to march, to remove, to delay, to be tall, etc.). In this context, it conveys a strong sense of being forcibly removed or swept along, implying an involuntary association or sharing of destiny. David fears being "dragged" into the judgment or fate reserved for the wicked, suggesting a plea for divine distinction and protection from both their company and their ultimate condemnation. It speaks to a fear of being indistinguishable from them in God's eyes or sharing their ultimate demise.
* **Wicked (Hebrew, _râshâʻ'_):** This word (H7563) refers to one who is morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person; condemned, guilty, ungodly. It encompasses not just those who commit overt acts of evil but also those whose fundamental character and orientation are opposed to righteousness. David's concern is not merely about specific actions but about being identified with this class of people in God's sight, fearing the shared consequences of their ungodly lifestyle.
* **Mischief (Hebrew, _raʻ'_):** This word (H7451) means bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral); adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, harm. Here, it specifically denotes malevolent intent, destructive plans, or moral corruption residing deep within the heart. It stands in stark contrast to the "peace" (שָׁלוֹם - _shalom_) spoken by their lips, highlighting the profound hypocrisy and internal depravity of these individuals. It signifies a deep-seated, active malevolence that is the true source of their deceptive behavior.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Draw me not away with the wicked,"**: This opening clause is a fervent petition for divine preservation and distinction. David expresses a profound fear of being swept up, dragged along, or associated with those who are fundamentally opposed to God's ways. It is a plea for God to clearly differentiate him from the unrighteous, ensuring he does not share in their judgment or ultimate condemnation.
* **"and with the workers of iniquity,"**: This phrase serves as a parallel intensification, further defining the group David wishes to be separated from. "Workers of iniquity" (פֹּעֲלֵי אָוֶן - _po'alei aven_) emphasizes their active, deliberate, and habitual engagement in wrongdoing. Their wickedness is not incidental but a practiced way of life, highlighting the depth of their moral corruption and the danger of association with them.
* **"which speak peace to their neighbours,"**: This clause introduces the insidious nature of the wicked described. They employ deceptive language, offering greetings of "peace" (שָׁלוֹם - _shalom_), which was the standard and most profound blessing in the ancient Near East. This outward display of goodwill is a cunning mask, designed to disarm, mislead, and gain trust from those around them, making their treachery all the more dangerous and morally reprehensible.
* **"but mischief [is] in their hearts."**: This final clause reveals the stark and chilling contrast between their words and their true intentions. The "heart" (לֵב - _lev_) in biblical thought is the seat of intellect, will, emotion, and moral character—the very core of one's being. To have "mischief" (רָעָה - _ra'ah_) in their hearts signifies a deep-seated malevolence, a corrupt inner being that is diametrically opposed to the peace they outwardly profess. This exposes their profound hypocrisy and the spiritual danger they represent.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 28:3 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message of discernment and warning. The most prominent is **Contrast**, which is central to the verse's meaning. A stark opposition is drawn between the outward words of the wicked—"speak peace to their neighbours"—and their inner reality—"mischief [is] in their hearts." This highlights the insidious nature of hypocrisy and the deceptive facade they present. Furthermore, **Parallelism** is evident in the pairing of "the wicked" and "the workers of iniquity," a common poetic device in the Psalms that reinforces and intensifies the description of the ungodly. The structure of the plea itself, "Draw me not away with X, and with Y," also functions as a form of **Negative Parallelism**, emphasizing David's desire for complete disassociation from both categories of evildoers. The phrase "mischief in their hearts" also serves as a powerful **Metonymy**, where "heart" represents the entirety of their inner being, their true character and intentions, revealing the source of their deceptive actions and underscoring the biblical emphasis on inner truth over outward show.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly speaks to the theological truth of God's omniscience and righteous judgment. It affirms that God does not merely observe outward actions or listen to superficial words but penetrates to the deepest intentions of the human heart. This divine discernment is foundational to His justice, as He alone can truly distinguish between genuine piety and deceptive hypocrisy. David's prayer is therefore an appeal to God's perfect knowledge and His unwavering commitment to righteousness, asking Him to act on this knowledge by separating His faithful servant from the fate of those who practice deceit. It underscores the biblical emphasis on integrity—the alignment of one's inner being with one's outward expression—as a core tenet of true faith, contrasting sharply with the duplicity condemned here.

* [Proverbs 26:23](/proverbs/26-23 "Proverbs 26:23 - Burning Lips and a Wicked Heart")
* [Matthew 23:27-28](/matthew/23-27-28 "Matthew 23:27-28 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")
* [Jeremiah 17:9-10](/jeremiah/17-9-10 "Jeremiah 17:9-10 - The Deceitfulness of the Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 28:3 serves as a timeless mirror, inviting believers to examine the integrity of their own hearts and words, and to cultivate spiritual discernment in their interactions with others. In a world often characterized by superficiality and hidden agendas, David's plea reminds us of the profound importance of authenticity. We are called not only to guard against being misled by those who "speak peace" while harboring "mischief" but also to ensure that our own expressions of goodwill are rooted in genuine love and sincerity, free from any hidden malice or manipulative intent. This verse challenges us to pray for divine protection from the corrupting influence of deceit, and to actively seek alignment between our inner convictions and our outward conduct, striving to live lives that reflect the transparent truth of God's character. It encourages a posture of vigilance and prayer, trusting God to reveal what is hidden and to preserve His people in integrity, both from external deception and internal hypocrisy.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge my own integrity, prompting me to align what I say with what I truly feel or intend?**
* **In what areas of my life do I need greater discernment to recognize insincere words or actions in others, even when they "speak peace"?**
* **What steps can I take to ensure my "peace" offered to others is always genuine and flows from a pure heart, free from hidden "mischief"?**
* **How does David's prayer for separation from the wicked inform my own prayers for spiritual protection, purity, and a life distinct from the world's deceptive ways?**

### FAQ
**What does "Draw me not away with the wicked" mean?**

Answer: This phrase expresses David's fervent prayer for divine preservation and distinction. It means he does not want to be swept up, dragged along, or associated with the wicked in their actions, their judgment, or their ultimate fate. David desires that God clearly differentiate him from those who practice iniquity, ensuring he does not share in their condemnation or suffer the consequences of their unrighteousness. It is a plea for spiritual and judicial separation, rooted in his trust in God's justice and his own commitment to righteousness, as seen in [Psalm 1:5-6](/psalms/1-5-6 "Psalm 1:5-6 - The Wicked Will Not Stand in Judgment").

**Why is it significant that the wicked "speak peace" but have "mischief in their hearts"?**

Answer: This contrast highlights the insidious and dangerous nature of hypocrisy. "Speaking peace" (שָׁלוֹם - _shalom_) was a common and profound greeting, implying goodwill and well-being. However, when uttered by those with "mischief" (רָעָה - _ra'ah_) or evil intent in their hearts, it becomes a deceptive facade. This makes them particularly dangerous because their true malevolence is hidden behind a veneer of friendliness, making them difficult to discern and guard against. It underscores the biblical emphasis on the heart as the true source of character and action, as Jesus himself taught in [Matthew 15:18-19](/matthew/15-18-19 "Matthew 15:18-19 - What Comes Out of the Mouth Defiles"). God judges not merely outward actions but the inner motives and intentions of the heart.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 28:3, with its plea for separation from the hypocritical wicked, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest resonance in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus perfectly embodied the integrity David longed for, His words and heart always in perfect alignment, utterly devoid of "mischief." He consistently exposed the hypocrisy of the religious leaders of His day, who "speak peace" (or outwardly righteous words) but had "mischief in their hearts," as seen in His sharp rebukes of the Pharisees in [Matthew 23](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees"). While David prayed not to be "drawn away with the wicked," Christ, paradoxically, was "numbered with the transgressors" ([Isaiah 53:12](/isaiah/53-12 "Isaiah 53:12 - Numbered with the Transgressors")) and bore the sin of the world, yet remained utterly undefiled and distinct from sin itself. His mission was not to be drawn into the wicked's condemnation, but to draw the wicked out of their condemnation through His atoning sacrifice. He is the ultimate discerner of hearts, seeing beyond outward appearance ([John 2:24-25](/john/2-24-25 "John 2:24-25 - Jesus Knew All People")), and through His perfect life, sacrificial death, and resurrection, He provides the pathway for His followers to be truly separated from the power and penalty of sin, not by their own merit, but by being "in Christ" ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")), thus fulfilling David's longing for divine distinction and preservation, now offered to all who believe.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 55:21

[The words] of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war [was] in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet [were] they drawn swords.

Psalms 12:2

They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: [with] flattering lips [and] with a double heart do they speak.

Jeremiah 9:8

Their tongue [is as] an arrow shot out; it speaketh deceit: [one] speaketh peaceably to his neighbour with his mouth, but in heart he layeth his wait.

Jeremiah 9:9

Shall I not visit them for these [things]? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?

Psalms 26:9

Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:

Micah 3:5

Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him.

Psalms 62:4

They only consult to cast [him] down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.