Psalms 28:5

KJV

Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up.

KJV (with Strong's)

Because they regard {H995} not the works {H6468} of the LORD {H3068}, nor the operation {H4639} of his hands {H3027}, he shall destroy {H2040} them, and not build them up {H1129}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For they don't understand the deeds of ADONAI or what he has done. He will break them down; he will not build them up.

Berean Standard Bible

Since they show no regard for the works of the LORD or what His hands have done, He will tear them down and never rebuild them.

American Standard Version

Because they regard not the works of Jehovah, Nor the operation of his hands, He will break them down and not build them up.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 28:5 is a profound declaration by David, articulating the severe and irreversible consequences for those who willfully disregard God's active presence, power, and providential works in the world. It serves as a stark warning against spiritual blindness and a deliberate refusal to acknowledge the divine hand in creation, history, and moral governance, asserting that such obstinate neglect will inevitably lead to divine judgment and utter ruin, rather than restoration or flourishing.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 28 is a fervent prayer of David, a lament that transitions into an expression of trust and praise. It opens with David's desperate cry to the LORD, pleading for God not to remain silent, lest he be counted among those who descend into the pit of destruction ([Psalms 28:1](/psalms/28-1 "Psalm 28:1 - David's Cry for Deliverance")). He distinguishes himself from "workers of iniquity" ([Psalms 28:3](/psalms/28-3 "Psalm 28:3 - The Wicked and Their Deeds")), whose hearts are filled with malice and whose words are deceitful. Verse 5 is a direct pronouncement of judgment against these wicked individuals, immediately following David's imprecation for God to repay them according to their deeds ([Psalms 28:4](/psalms/28-4 "Psalm 28:4 - Prayer for Retribution")), contrasting their ultimate destruction with the psalmist's eventual trust and hope in the LORD, which culminates in a doxology of praise and a prayer for God's people ([Psalms 28:6-9](/psalms/28-6 "Psalm 28:6-9 - David's Trust and Prayer for Israel")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed by David, likely during a period of distress or conflict, this psalm reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of divine justice and retribution. In a culture where kings were seen as mediators of divine will and justice, David's appeal to God for judgment against his enemies was not merely personal vengeance but a call for cosmic order to be upheld. The "works of the LORD" would have been understood in the context of Israel's history, particularly the Exodus, the giving of the Law, the establishment of the covenant, and God's ongoing providential care for His people. To "regard not" these works was not merely ignorance but a defiant rejection of God's sovereignty and His established moral order, akin to the stubbornness that led to divine judgment throughout Israel's history, as seen in the wilderness generation's rebellion ([Numbers 14](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - Israel's Rebellion in the Wilderness")).
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Psalms and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Justice and Retribution**, asserting that God's unwavering righteousness demands that those who willfully ignore His power and works will face severe consequences. This is a consistent principle throughout Scripture, where God repays the wicked according to their deeds ([Proverbs 24:12](/proverbs/24-12 "Proverbs 24:12 - God's Retribution for Deeds")). Secondly, it highlights the **Consequences of Disregard**, emphasizing that active, deliberate refusal to acknowledge God's visible actions in the world and His active involvement in human affairs inevitably leads to ruin. This is not passive ignorance but a determined spiritual blindness. Lastly, it contrasts **Destruction vs. Building Up**, a significant biblical motif. God is often depicted as a builder and restorer of His people ([Jeremiah 24:6](/jeremiah/24-6 "Jeremiah 24:6 - God Builds Up and Plants")), but for those who set themselves against Him by ignoring His truth, their end is utter desolation and a lack of restoration, demonstrating the ultimate antithesis to God's life-giving purposes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Regard not (Hebrew, _lo' hibbiṭu'_):** This phrase is crucial for understanding the verse's emphasis. The Hebrew verb *nabaṭ* (נבט) means "to look, gaze, consider, pay attention." When negated by *lo'*, it signifies a deliberate, willful neglect or a stubborn refusal to acknowledge. It's not a mere lack of knowledge, but an active choice to ignore or dismiss what is clearly evident. This implies a moral culpability for spiritual blindness, where individuals choose not to see God's hand, despite its manifest presence in creation and providence.
* **Works (Hebrew, _ma'aseh'_); Operation (Hebrew, _po'al'_):** These two parallel terms emphasize God's active deeds and the tangible results of His labor. *Ma'aseh* (מַעֲשֶׂה) refers to the totality of God's actions, encompassing creation, His interventions in history (like the Exodus), and His ongoing providential care. *Po'al* (פֹּעַל) often denotes the specific, accomplished work or product of one's hands, reinforcing the idea of God's tangible impact and the effectiveness of His power. The parallelism intensifies the scope of what is being willfully ignored – not just one act, but the entire spectrum of God's powerful and evident activity.
* **Destroy (Hebrew, _yaharsem'_); Not build them up (Hebrew, _yivnem'_):** These verbs present a stark and powerful antithesis. *Haras* (הָרַס) means "to tear down, break down, destroy." *Banah* (בָּנָה) means "to build, establish, restore." The contrast is absolute: for those who disregard God, their end is utter ruin and desolation, with no hope of restoration or flourishing. God, who is typically the great Builder and Sustainer, will actively dismantle and refuse to reconstruct the lives of those who reject His manifest presence and power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Because they regard not the works of the LORD,"**: This clause establishes the foundational reason for the impending judgment. The "they" refers to the "workers of iniquity" mentioned earlier in the psalm, those who speak peace but harbor evil in their hearts. Their sin is not merely ignorance, but a deliberate, active, and stubborn refusal to acknowledge or pay attention to God's mighty acts in creation, history, and providence. This spiritual blindness is a choice, not an accident.
* **"nor the operation of his hands,"**: This phrase serves as a powerful parallel to the preceding clause, intensifying the accusation. "The operation of his hands" refers to the specific, tangible, and effective outworking of God's power and will. It emphasizes that God's involvement in the world is not abstract but concrete and discernible. To ignore both His general "works" and the specific "operation of his hands" signifies a comprehensive and defiant rejection of divine reality.
* **"he shall destroy them,"**: This is the direct and inevitable consequence of their willful disregard. The verb "destroy" (Hebrew *haras*) indicates a complete tearing down, a breaking apart, or utter ruin. This is not a passive withdrawal of God's presence, but an active, decisive act of divine judgment against those who have set themselves in opposition to Him by their spiritual obstinacy.
* **"and not build them up."**: This concluding clause underscores the finality and hopelessness of their fate. It is the antithesis of God's character and usual action toward His people, whom He builds up and establishes. For the wicked, there will be no restoration, no rebuilding, no flourishing, no hope of recovery. Their destruction is permanent and irreversible, signifying a complete and utter desolation.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is powerfully constructed using **Parallelism** and **Antithesis**. The phrase "the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands" employs synonymous parallelism, where two different phrases convey the same fundamental idea, thereby intensifying the meaning and emphasizing the comprehensive nature of God's active presence that is being ignored. This repetition underscores the profound extent of the wicked's spiritual blindness. The latter part of the verse, "he shall destroy them, and not build them up," is a striking example of **Antithesis**. It presents a sharp contrast between two opposing outcomes: destruction versus building up. This literary device highlights the stark and irreversible nature of the judgment, emphasizing that God's response to willful defiance is not merely a cessation of blessing but an active dismantling, with no subsequent restoration. The use of these devices makes the warning in Psalms 28:5 exceptionally vivid and impactful.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 28:5 profoundly articulates the theological principle that accountability before God is directly tied to one's response to His self-revelation. The "works of the LORD" and "the operation of his hands" refer to God's manifest power and presence in creation, history, and providence—a revelation that is universally accessible. To "regard not" these undeniable evidences is not mere ignorance but a culpable, willful spiritual blindness that incurs divine judgment. This verse underscores God's unwavering justice, demonstrating that His character demands a response to His truth; persistent rebellion and deliberate disregard for His sovereignty inevitably lead to a state of utter desolation, where the very God who builds and sustains will, in judgment, dismantle and refuse to restore. It highlights the critical importance of spiritual discernment and humble submission to divine truth as prerequisites for receiving God's favor and experiencing His restorative power.

* [Romans 1:20](/romans/1-20 "Romans 1:20 - God's Invisible Qualities Clearly Seen")
* [Proverbs 1:24-33](/proverbs/1-24 "Proverbs 1:24-33 - Wisdom's Invitation and Warning")
* [Jeremiah 24:6](/jeremiah/24-6 "Jeremiah 24:6 - God Builds Up and Plants")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 28:5 serves as a timeless and urgent call to spiritual attentiveness and humility, reminding us that our response to God's evident presence and power in the world carries eternal consequences. In an age saturated with distractions and prone to skepticism, this verse compels us to cultivate a posture of intentional observation, recognizing God's hand in the intricate design of creation, the unfolding of history, and the intimate details of our personal lives. To "regard not" God's works is to choose a path of self-imposed spiritual blindness, leading to a profound disconnection from the very source of life and flourishing. Conversely, actively seeking to discern and acknowledge "the works of the LORD" fosters a spirit of gratitude, awe, and dependence, inviting God's "building up" presence into our lives, our communities, and our world. It challenges us to move beyond superficial acknowledgment to a deep, transformative engagement with divine truth, allowing God to shape our character and purpose, rather than facing the desolation of self-chosen ruin.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be "regarding not" the works of the LORD in my daily life or in the broader world?**
* **What specific "operations of His hands" (e.g., in creation, personal experiences, historical events) am I prone to overlook or dismiss?**
* **How does a conscious awareness of God's active presence change my perspective on challenges, blessings, and the future?**
* **What steps can I take to cultivate a more attentive and responsive heart to God's ongoing work around me?**

### FAQ
**Does Psalms 28:5 imply that God actively destroys people, or is it a natural consequence of their actions?**

Answer: Psalms 28:5 implies both an active divine judgment and the natural, inevitable consequences of willful disregard for God. The phrase "he shall destroy them" uses a strong Hebrew verb (*haras*) that denotes an active tearing down or breaking apart, indicating God's direct involvement in judgment. This is not merely a passive withdrawal, but a decisive act from a just God who upholds His moral order. However, this divine action is a direct response to the "they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands." Their spiritual blindness and stubborn rejection of God's self-revelation are the precipitating causes. Thus, while the destruction is God's doing, it is a just retribution for their deliberate choice to ignore His manifest presence and power. It aligns with the biblical principle that those who sow to the flesh will reap corruption ([Galatians 6:7-8](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7-8 - Sowing and Reaping")). God's judgment is often the ultimate outworking of the path people choose when they persistently set themselves against Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 28:5, with its stark warning against disregarding God's works and the resulting destruction, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the preeminent "work of the LORD" and the supreme "operation of His hands," for in Him, God's glory, power, and wisdom are fully revealed ([Colossians 1:15-17](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15-17 - Christ is the Image of the Invisible God")). To "regard not" the works of the LORD in the Old Testament foreshadows the ultimate spiritual blindness of those who rejected Jesus, despite His miraculous deeds and authoritative teaching, which were undeniable "operations of His hands" ([John 14:11](/john/14-11 "John 14:11 - Believe Me for the Works' Sake")). Jesus himself lamented over Jerusalem because they did not recognize the time of their visitation ([Luke 19:41-44](/luke/19-41 "Luke 19:41-44 - Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem")), leading to their destruction. Conversely, those who acknowledge and receive Christ are not "destroyed" but are "built up" into a spiritual house ([1 Peter 2:4-5](/1_peter/2-4 "1 Peter 2:4-5 - Living Stones Built into a Spiritual House")), becoming part of the very temple of God. Christ is the Chief Cornerstone upon whom believers are built ([Ephesians 2:20-22](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20-22 - Built on the Foundation of Apostles and Prophets")), ensuring their eternal flourishing and restoration, contrasting sharply with the irreversible ruin faced by those who reject God's ultimate revelation in His Son.

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

Isaiah 5:12

And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.

Job 34:26

He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;

Job 34:27

Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways:

John 12:37

¶ But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:

Romans 1:28

And even as they did not like to retain God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Psalms 92:4

For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.

Psalms 92:6

A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.