TRV
Translation
King James Version
Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever.
Complete Jewish Bible
Save your people! Bless your heritage! Shepherd them, and carry them forever!
Berean Standard Bible
Save Your people and bless Your inheritance; shepherd them and carry them forever.
American Standard Version
Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: Be their shepherd also, and bear them up for ever.
World English Bible Messianic
Save your people, and bless your inheritance. Be their shepherd also, and bear them up forever.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Saue thy people, and blesse thine inheritance: feede them also, and exalt them for euer.
Young's Literal Translation
Save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance, And feed them, and carry them to the age!
In the KJVVerse 14,309 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Psalms 28 verses 6–9
6 ¶ Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.
7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
8 The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.
9 Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever.
In these verses,
I. David gives God thanks for the audience of his prayers as affectionately as a few verses before he had begged it: Blessed be the Lord, Psa 28:6. How soon are the saints' sorrows turned into songs and their prayers into praises! It was in faith that David prayed (Psa 28:2), Hear the voice of my supplications; and by the same faith he gives thanks (Psa 28:6) that God has heard the voice of his supplications. Note, 1. Those that pray in faith may rejoice in hope. "He hath heard me (graciously accepted me) and I am as sure of a real answer as if I had it already." 2. What we win by prayer we must wear by praise. Has God heard our supplications? Let us then bless his name.
II. He encourages himself to hope in God for the perfecting of every thing that concerned him. Having given to God the glory of his grace (Psa 28:6), he is humbly bold to take the comfort of it, Psa 28:7. This is the method of attaining peace: let us begin with praise that is attainable. Let us first bless God and then bless ourselves. Observe, 1. His dependence upon God: "The Lord is my strength, to support me, and carry me on, through all my services and sufferings. He is my shield, to protect me from all the malicious designs of my enemies against me. I have chosen him to be so, I have always found him so, and I expect he will still be so." 2. His experience of the benefits of that dependence: "My heart trusted in him, and in his power and promise; and it has not been in vain to do so, for I am helped, I have been often helped; not only God has given to me, in his due time, the help I trusted to him for, but my very trusting in him has helped me, in the mean time, and kept me from fainting." Psa 27:13. The very actings of faith are present aids to a dropping spirit, and often help it at a dead lift. 3. His improvement of this experience. (1.) He had the pleasure of it: Therefore my heart greatly rejoices. The joy of a believer is seated in the heart, while, in the laughter of the fool, the heart is sorrowful. It is great joy, joy unspeakable and full of glory. The heart that truly believes shall in due time greatly rejoice; it is joy and peace in believing that we are to expect. (2.) God shall have the praise of it: when my heart greatly rejoices, with my song will I praise him. This must we express our gratitude; it is the least we can do; and others will hereby be invited and encouraged to trust in him too.
III. He pleases himself with the interest which all good people, through Christ, have in God (Psa 28:8): "The Lord is their strength; not mine only, but the strength of every believer." Note, The saints rejoice in their friends' comforts as well as their own; for, as we have not the less benefit from the light of the sun, so neither from the light of Gods' countenance, for others' sharing therein; for we are sure there is enough for all and enough for each. This is our communion with all saints, that God is their strength and ours, Christ their Lord and ours, Co1 1:2. He is their strength, the strength of all Israel, because he is the saving strength of his anointed, that is, 1. Of David in the type. God, in strengthening him that was their king and fought their battles, strengthened the whole kingdom. He calls himself God's anointed because it was the unction he had received that exposed him to the envy of his enemies, and therefore entitled him to the divine protection. 2. Of Christ, his anointed, his Messiah, in the anti-type. God was his saving strength, qualified him for his undertaking and carried him through it; see Psa 89:21; Isa 49:5; Isa 50:7, Isa 50:9. And so he becomes their strength, the strength of all the saints; he strengthened him that is the church's head, and from him diffuses strength to all the members, has commanded his strength, and so strengthens what he has wrought for us; Psa 68:28; Psa 80:17, Psa 80:18.
IV. He concludes with a short but comprehensive prayer for the church of God, Psa 28:9. He prays for Israel, not as his people ("save my people, and bless my inheritance"), though they were so, but, "thine." God's interest in them lay nearer his heart than his own. We are thy people is a good plea, Isa 64:9; Isa 63:19. I am thine, save me. God's people are his inheritance, dear to him, and precious in his eyes; what little glory he has from this world he has from them. The Lord's portion is his people. That which he begs of God for them is, 1. That he would save them from their enemies and the dangers they were exposed to. 2. That he would bless them with all good, flowing from his favour, in performance of his promise, and amounting to a happiness for them. 3. That he would feed them, bless them with plenty, and especially the plenty of his ordinances, which are food to the soul. Rule them; so the margin. "Direct their counsels and actions aright, and overrule their affairs for good. Feed them, and rule them; sets pastors, set rulers, over them, that shall do their office with wisdom and understanding." 4. That he would lift them up for ever, lift them up out of their troubles and distresses, and do this, not only for those of that age, but for his people in every age to come, even to the end. "Lift them up into thy glorious kingdom, lift them up as high as heaven." There, and there only, will the saints be lifted up for ever, never more to sink or be depressed. Observe, Those, and those only, whom God feeds and rules, who are willing to be taught, and guided, and governed, by him, shall be saved, and blessed, and lifted up for ever.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 6–9. Public domain.
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Pseudo-Athanasius
EXPOSITION ON PSALM 28
He aids and saves the people that were anointed for inheritance and the priestly kingdom, and he tends and exalts them forever, showing us to be raised up and glorified in future infinite ages.
Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 28
"Save Your people, and bless Your inheritance" [Psalm 28:9]. I intercede therefore, after My Flesh has flourished again, because You have said, "Desire of Me, and I will give You the heathen for Your inheritance;" "Save Your people, and bless Your inheritance:" for "all Mine are Yours." [John 17:10] "And rule them, and set them up even for ever." And rule them in this temporal life, and raise them from hence into life eternal.
Theodoret of CyrusAD 458
COMMENTARY ON THE PSALMS 28:5
The prayer for the people befits the king as well: it is also admirable about mighty David that though pursued also by the people, who waged war on him along with Saul, he offered supplication on their behalf to God. He foresaw their future conversion, you see, and had regard not for the injustice but for the servitude to come.
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
Psalms 28:9 is a profound prayer of intercession by King David, marking a pivotal shift from his personal pleas for deliverance to an earnest petition for the entire community of God's people. This verse beautifully encapsulates a comprehensive desire for divine protection, abundant blessing, ongoing provision, and eternal exaltation for those whom God has chosen as His treasured possession, reflecting a heart that understands the interconnectedness of individual and communal well-being under God's sovereign care.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Psalm 28 opens with David's desperate cry to the Lord, pleading for deliverance from wicked individuals who speak peace but harbor evil in their hearts, as seen in Psalms 28:1-3. He then expresses confidence in God's righteous judgment against the ungodly, detailed in Psalms 28:4-5, and praises God for hearing his personal supplications, recorded in Psalms 28:6-7. Verse 8 transitions from David's individual experience to a broader declaration of God's strength for His people and the saving might of His anointed king. This sets the stage for verse 9, where David, having experienced God's faithfulness personally, extends his prayer to intercede for the entire nation, moving from self-focused petition to communal advocacy, embodying the principle that personal salvation should lead to concern for the wider body of believers.
Historical & Cultural Context: Composed by King David, this psalm reflects the life and responsibilities of a monarch who understood his role as both a leader and a shepherd of his people. In ancient Israel, the king was seen as God's anointed representative, responsible for the welfare and spiritual health of the nation. The concept of Israel as God's "inheritance" (נַחֲלָה, nachălâh) is deeply rooted in the Abrahamic covenant and the Exodus narrative, where God chose Israel as His special possession among all peoples, as highlighted in Deuteronomy 7:6. The imagery of "feeding" and "lifting up" evokes the role of a shepherd, a common metaphor for leadership in the ancient Near East, applied here to God's ultimate care for His flock, Israel. This cultural understanding underscored the expectation that God would provide, protect, and guide His chosen nation through their king.
Key Themes: Psalms 28:9 contributes significantly to several key themes prevalent in the Psalter and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it underscores the theme of Divine Sovereignty and Providence, portraying God as the ultimate source of salvation, blessing, and sustenance for His people, demonstrating His active involvement in their lives. Secondly, it highlights Covenantal Faithfulness, as God's commitment to His "inheritance" (Israel) is a direct outflow of His unbreakable covenant promises, as seen in Exodus 19:5-6. Thirdly, the verse powerfully models Intercessory Prayer, showing a leader moving beyond personal needs to earnestly pray for the community, reflecting a heart aligned with God's concern for His collective people, a principle echoed in 1 Timothy 2:1-2. Finally, it speaks to the theme of God's Enduring Care and Exaltation, promising not just temporal provision but eternal security and elevation for those who belong to Him, a hope echoed in later prophetic literature, such as Isaiah 40:31.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 28:9 is rich in Imagery, particularly the Shepherd Metaphor, where God is depicted as the caring shepherd who "feeds" and "lifts up" His flock, the people of Israel. This evokes a sense of intimate care, protection, and provision, highlighting God's tender yet powerful relationship with His chosen ones. The verse also employs Intercession, as David, the king and representative of his people, shifts from personal petition to a fervent prayer on behalf of the entire community, modeling a selfless and communal spirit in prayer. There is a strong element of Parallelism and Cumulative Effect in the successive petitions ("save," "bless," "feed," "lift up"), each building upon the last to express a comprehensive desire for God's multifaceted favor and enduring presence. The use of "thy people" and "thine inheritance" serves as a powerful Appellation, highlighting the special, covenantal relationship between God and Israel.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 28:9 serves as a profound theological statement about God's unwavering commitment to His people and the nature of intercessory prayer. It highlights God's character as both a powerful deliverer and a tender caregiver, demonstrating His multifaceted providence—saving, blessing, providing, and exalting. The shift from David's personal plea to a communal one underscores the biblical principle that individual well-being is often intertwined with the health of the collective body of believers. This verse reminds us that God's covenantal faithfulness extends not only to the nation of Israel but, through Christ, to all who are His "inheritance" today, the Church. It is a timeless model for believers to look beyond their immediate needs and fervently pray for the wider community of faith, trusting in God's comprehensive and eternal care.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 28:9 offers a powerful blueprint for our prayer lives, urging us to expand our petitions beyond personal concerns to embrace a spirit of intercession for the collective body of Christ. It calls us to recognize our identity as God's "inheritance" and to trust in His comprehensive care—His saving power, His abundant blessings, His constant provision, and His promise to sustain and exalt us eternally. In a world often marked by self-focus, David's prayer serves as a profound reminder that true spiritual maturity involves a deep concern for the welfare of others, especially fellow believers. As we pray for "thy people" and "thine inheritance," we align our hearts with God's own desire for the flourishing of His Church, confident that He hears and acts on behalf of those He has called His own. This verse instills a deep sense of security and hope, knowing that our God is not only powerful enough to save but also tender enough to shepherd us through every season of life, leading us to eternal glory.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "inheritance" mean in the context of Psalms 28:9?
Answer: In Psalms 28:9, "inheritance" (Hebrew: nachălâh) primarily refers to the nation of Israel. Throughout the Old Testament, Israel is consistently portrayed as God's special possession, His "treasured possession" (Exodus 19:5) and "inheritance" (Deuteronomy 4:20). This term signifies a unique, covenantal relationship where God has chosen them as His own, promising to care for them, guide them, and establish them. It implies a deep commitment and ownership, highlighting God's faithfulness to His chosen people.
How does the imagery of "feed them also" relate to God's care for His people?
Answer: The phrase "feed them also" uses the powerful and comforting imagery of a shepherd tending his flock. The Hebrew word râʻâh (רָעָה) means more than just providing food; it encompasses the full range of a shepherd's duties: leading, guiding, protecting, pasturing, and nurturing. Therefore, when David prays for God to "feed" His people, he is asking for God's comprehensive, holistic care. This includes physical sustenance, but also spiritual nourishment (e.g., through His Word), wise guidance, protection from dangers, and tender compassion, much like the Lord is depicted as the Good Shepherd in Psalms 23:1. It signifies God's active and intimate involvement in the daily lives and long-term well-being of His people.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 28:9 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the embodiment of God's saving, blessing, feeding, and exalting power for His people. As the Good Shepherd, Jesus not only lays down His life to "save" His sheep from sin and death (John 10:15), but He also continually "feeds" them with spiritual nourishment—His very body and blood (John 6:51) and the truth of His Word (John 6:63). Through His finished work on the cross, He has secured an eternal "blessing" for all who believe, granting them adoption into God's family and making them co-heirs with Him (Romans 8:17). Furthermore, Christ is the one who "lifts up" His people, not only raising them from spiritual death to new life (Ephesians 2:5-6) but also promising their ultimate exaltation and glorification with Him in eternity (Philippians 3:20-21). Thus, David's prayer for God's "people" and "inheritance" is fully realized in the Church, the new covenant community, whom Christ Himself shepherds, saves, blesses, and will eternally lift up by His own power and grace.