Psalms 28:4

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Give {H5414} them according to their deeds {H6467}, and according to the wickedness {H7455} of their endeavours {H4611}: give {H5414} them after the work {H4639} of their hands {H3027}; render {H7725} to them their desert {H1576}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Pay them back for their deeds, as befits their evil acts; repay them for what they have done, give them what they deserve.

Berean Standard Bible

Repay them according to their deeds and for their works of evil. Repay them for what their hands have done; bring back on them what they deserve.

American Standard Version

Give them according to their work, and according to the wickedness of their doings: Give them after the operation of their hands; Render to them their desert.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 28:4 is a fervent and direct petition from David to God, the righteous Judge, imploring Him to render precise and just recompense to those who practice wickedness. It expresses a profound trust in divine justice, asserting the biblical principle that all human actions—their deeds, intentions, and the tangible results of their efforts—will ultimately receive their deserved consequence from the sovereign Lord, affirming God's unwavering commitment to upholding righteousness in the world.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 28 is a deeply personal lament and prayer, characteristic of many Davidic psalms, marked by a dramatic shift from desperate plea to triumphant praise. It opens with an urgent cry for God's attention and intervention, as David feels himself on the brink of despair, fearing silence from the Lord would mean descent into the pit of death, as expressed in [Psalms 28:1](/psalms/28-1 "Psalms 28:1 - David's Urgent Cry for Help"). The psalmist then describes the wicked adversaries who "speak peace to their neighbors, but mischief is in their hearts" ([Psalms 28:3](/psalms/28-3 "Psalms 28:3 - The Deceit of the Wicked")), setting the stage for the strong imprecation against these evildoers in verse 4 and 5. This petition for divine justice then gives way to a triumphant declaration of praise and confidence in God's past and future deliverance, particularly highlighted in [Psalms 28:6-7](/psalms/28-6 "Psalms 28:6-7 - David's Praise for God's Strength and Shield"). The psalm concludes with a communal prayer for God's people, the "anointed," highlighting David's role as king and shepherd of Israel ([Psalms 28:8-9](/psalms/28-8 "Psalms 28:8-9 - Prayer for God's People and His Anointed")). Verse 4, therefore, serves as the intense heart of David's petition for divine justice within this broader movement of lament, imprecation, and ultimate praise.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** As king of Israel, David frequently faced internal and external enemies who sought to undermine his reign and the peace of the nation. The "wicked" in this psalm could refer to specific treacherous individuals, perhaps even members of his own court like Ahithophel, or foreign adversaries who opposed God's chosen king and people. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, justice was often seen as a direct act of divine intervention, and kings were expected to uphold righteousness. When human justice failed, or when the wicked seemed to prosper unchecked, appeals to the gods for retribution were common. David, however, appeals to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, whose character is fundamentally just and righteous. His prayer reflects the understanding that God is the ultimate judge, who sees all hidden deeds and intentions, and will ultimately bring about a just order. This was a profound comfort to the righteous who often suffered at the hands of the powerful and corrupt, affirming that true justice resided with the divine.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 28:4 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Psalter and broader biblical narrative. The most prominent is **Divine Justice and Retribution**, asserting God's unwavering commitment to upholding righteousness and punishing evil. David's plea is not merely for personal vengeance but for the vindication of God's holy character against those who defy Him and oppress His people. This aligns with the repeated biblical declaration that God "renders to every man according to his work," as seen in [Proverbs 24:12](/proverbs/24-12 "Proverbs 24:12 - God's Knowledge and Recompense"). Another crucial theme is the **Consequences of Actions**, emphasizing that human deeds, whether good or evil, carry inherent and inevitable consequences, which God will ultimately bring to fruition. The verse highlights the comprehensive nature of these actions—"deeds," "endeavours," and "work of their hands"—underscoring that both outward actions and inner intentions are subject to divine scrutiny. Finally, the psalm embodies the theme of **Prayer for Vindication**, where the righteous, suffering under injustice, appeal to God to intervene and restore order, trusting that His justice will prevail over human wickedness, a sentiment echoed in other laments like [Psalms 7](/psalms/7 "Psalms 7 - David's Prayer for Vindication").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Deeds (Hebrew, _pôʻal'_):** This term (פֹּעַל, H6467) refers to an act or work, specifically in a concrete sense. In this context, it denotes the wicked actions and behaviors of the adversaries. It encompasses the entirety of their conduct, suggesting that God's judgment will be comprehensive, addressing every aspect of their sinful activity, not just isolated incidents. The emphasis is on the actual performance of evil.
* **Wickedness (Hebrew, _rôaʻ'_):** The word (רֹעַ, H7455) signifies badness, evil, or depravity, often with a sense of marring or spoiling. When combined with "endeavours" (מַעֲלָל, H4611), "wickedness of their endeavours" (וּכְרֹעַ מַעַלְלֵיהֶם) intensifies the plea, indicating that David is not just asking for judgment on their outward actions, but on the inherent evil, moral corruption, and malicious intent behind those actions. It speaks to the depraved character that motivates their conduct.
* **Desert (Hebrew, _gᵉmûwl'_):** This noun (גְּמוּל, H1576) refers to treatment or requital, whether good or ill, and by implication, recompense or reward. In this context, it is explicitly negative, signifying the just and deserved punishment for evil. The phrase "render to them their desert" (גְּמוּלָם הָשֵׁב לָהֶם) emphasizes a precise and equitable repayment, a divine "quid pro quo" where the punishment perfectly fits the crime, administered by God's righteous hand. It implies a full and complete repayment for their actions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Give them according to their deeds,"**: This opening clause is a direct, imperative petition for divine action. "Give them" (תֶּן־לָהֶם) is a strong command or plea to God, indicating a desire for immediate and decisive intervention. The phrase "according to their deeds" (כְּפָעֳלָם) establishes the principle of strict proportionality: the judgment sought is not arbitrary but precisely measured by the actions themselves, ensuring a just and equitable response to their conduct.
* **"and according to the wickedness of their endeavours:"**: This phrase reinforces and intensifies the previous one, adding a crucial layer of meaning. "Wickedness of their endeavours" (וּכְרֹעַ מַעַלְלֵיהֶם) highlights not just the outward actions but also the inherent evil nature and malicious intent behind them. It underscores that God's judgment penetrates beyond the surface to the heart and motivation, addressing the moral depravity from which their actions spring.
* **"give them after the work of their hands;"**: This clause further reiterates and expands upon the theme of just recompense. "Work of their hands" (כְּמַעֲשֵׂה יְדֵיהֶם) is a common biblical idiom for the results or consequences of one's actions, emphasizing the tangible outcome of their evil plans and practices. It reinforces the idea that they should reap what they have sown, experiencing the full repercussions of their efforts.
* **"render to them their desert."**: This concluding phrase serves as a powerful summary and final plea, bringing the petition to a forceful close. "Render to them" (הָשֵׁב לָהֶם) is another imperative, meaning "return" or "give back," reinforcing the idea of a reciprocal action. "Their desert" (גְּמוּלָם) encapsulates the concept of just retribution, ensuring that the wicked receive precisely what they are due, a full and complete repayment for their evil.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 28:4 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of divine justice with emphatic force. Most prominently, it utilizes **Parallelism**, specifically **Synonymous Parallelism**, where successive clauses express the same idea in different words, reinforcing the central concept of just recompense. Phrases like "according to their deeds," "according to the wickedness of their endeavours," and "after the work of their hands" all reiterate the principle of God's proportionate judgment for actions. This repetition builds intensity and emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the judgment sought, encompassing both the act and the intent. The use of **Repetition** of the imperative "Give them" (or "render to them") at the beginning of clauses underscores the urgency and directness of David's plea to God. Furthermore, the phrase "work of their hands" is an example of **Metonymy**, where "hands" stand in for the actions or results produced by those hands, effectively symbolizing the entirety of their wicked output. This combination of devices creates a powerful and emphatic declaration of the psalmist's desire for God's righteous and proportionate judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 28:4 stands as a profound declaration of faith in God's absolute justice. It articulates the biblical principle of *lex talionis* (not in a literal "eye for an eye" sense here, but in the sense of just proportionality) and the broader truth that God is a righteous judge who will ultimately bring every deed into account. This verse reassures the suffering righteous that their cries for justice are heard and that the apparent prosperity of the wicked is temporary. It affirms that God's moral order will prevail, and no act of wickedness, whether overt or hidden, will escape His scrutiny and just recompense. This divine accountability serves as both a comfort to the oppressed and a solemn warning to those who defy God's ways, highlighting His unwavering commitment to righteousness and His role as the ultimate arbiter of all human conduct.

* [Proverbs 24:12](/proverbs/24-12 "Proverbs 24:12 - God's Knowledge and Recompense")
* [Romans 2:6](/romans/2-6 "Romans 2:6 - God's Impartial Judgment")
* [2 Thessalonians 1:6](/2_thessalonians/1-6 "2 Thessalonians 1:6 - God's Righteous Judgment for the Afflicted")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the New Testament calls believers to a radical love for enemies and a willingness to forgive, as exemplified in [Matthew 5:44](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies"), Psalms 28:4 reminds us that there is a legitimate and necessary place for acknowledging God's role as the ultimate Judge. This verse is not an endorsement of personal vengeance or a license to harbor bitterness, but a prayerful surrender of justice to the One who alone is perfectly righteous and capable of administering it. For those who feel wronged, betrayed, or see pervasive injustice in the world, this psalm offers profound comfort: God sees, God knows, and God will act. It encourages us to trust God's perfect timing and methods for upholding righteousness, rather than taking matters into our own hands or succumbing to despair. It also serves as a sobering reminder that our own deeds, intentions, and the work of our hands are continually before the Lord, and we too will one day give an account. This should motivate us to live lives of integrity, seeking to honor God in all we do, knowing that He "will render to every man according to his deeds."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God as the ultimate Judge, as depicted in this psalm, bring comfort or challenge to your own life in the face of injustice?**
* **In what ways might we be tempted to take justice into our own hands, and how does this verse encourage us to trust God's timing and sovereignty instead?**
* **Considering that God will render to each person according to their deeds, what implications does this have for how we live our daily lives and interact with others, both believers and non-believers?**

### FAQ
**What is an "imprecatory psalm" and how does Psalms 28:4 fit into this category?**

Answer: An imprecatory psalm is a type of psalm that contains curses or prayers for God's judgment and destruction upon enemies. Psalms 28:4 is a classic example because it directly petitions God to "give them according to their deeds" and "render to them their desert," explicitly calling for divine retribution against the wicked. While these psalms can be unsettling to modern readers, they are not expressions of personal vengeance but rather appeals to God, the righteous Judge, to uphold His justice in a world where evil often seems to triumph. They reflect a profound belief in God's sovereignty and His ultimate commitment to righteousness, trusting Him to execute judgment perfectly and justly, rather than the psalmist taking matters into their own hands. Other examples include [Psalms 35](/psalms/35 "Psalms 35 - David's Prayer for Deliverance and Judgment") and [Psalms 109](/psalms/109 "Psalms 109 - A Prayer for Vengeance Against Enemies").

**How can a Christian reconcile the imprecatory nature of Psalms 28:4 with New Testament commands to love enemies and pray for those who persecute us?**

Answer: Reconciling Psalms 28:4 with New Testament commands like [Matthew 5:44](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies") ("But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;") requires understanding the different contexts and theological progression of Scripture. First, imprecatory psalms are prayers addressed *to God*, not calls for personal vengeance. They surrender the desire for justice to God's perfect hand, recognizing that only He possesses the perfect knowledge and righteousness to judge truly. Second, they often reflect the perspective of those living under the Old Covenant, where the full revelation of God's redemptive plan through Christ was not yet complete. The New Testament, through Christ's life, death, and resurrection, reveals a deeper dimension of God's character: His boundless grace, mercy, and call to radical love, even for adversaries. While God's justice remains an immutable attribute, the New Covenant emphasizes the path of forgiveness, reconciliation, and evangelism, knowing that God's ultimate judgment will still come, but also offering an opportunity for repentance and salvation. Christians are called to embody Christ's love and grace, leaving ultimate justice to God, who will "render to every man according to his deeds" ([Romans 2:6](/romans/2-6 "Romans 2:6 - God's Impartial Judgment")) in His perfect timing and according to His perfect wisdom.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Psalms 28:4 expresses a fervent plea for divine retribution, its ultimate fulfillment and reinterpretation are found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament's calls for justice against the wicked foreshadow the ultimate, perfect judgment that will be executed by God through His Son. Jesus Himself is presented as the one who will "render to every man according to his deeds" ([Matthew 16:27](/matthew/16-27 "Matthew 16:27 - The Son of Man's Coming and Recompense")), yet He first came not to condemn the world, but to save it ([John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - Jesus Came to Save the World")). The cross of Christ is the ultimate demonstration of God's justice and His love: there, the "desert" for humanity's sin was fully borne by the sinless Lamb of God, who "was made to be sin for us, who knew no sin" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")), satisfying the righteous demands of God's law. For those who repent and believe, the judgment they deserve is absorbed by Christ, and they receive His righteousness instead ([Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21-26 "Romans 3:21-26 - Righteousness Through Faith")). For those who reject Him, the "desert" of their wickedness will indeed be rendered on the Day of Judgment, not by human imprecation, but by the perfectly just and holy Son of God, who will return to judge the living and the dead ([Acts 17:31](/acts/17-31 "Acts 17:31 - God's Appointed Judge")). Thus, Psalms 28:4 points forward to Christ as both the one who bears the judgment for believers and the one who will perfectly execute it upon all unrepentant wickedness, bringing about God's final and complete justice.

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

2 Timothy 4:14

Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:

Revelation 22:12

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward [is] with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

Psalms 109:17

As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him.

Psalms 109:21

¶ But do thou for me, O GOD the Lord, for thy name's sake: because thy mercy [is] good, deliver thou me.

Revelation 18:6

Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.

Romans 11:22

Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in [his] goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

Psalms 59:12

[For] the sin of their mouth [and] the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying [which] they speak.