Psalm 28 · a question people ask

"Give them according to their work" (28:4). Should a believer pray like this?

In the text

Here is what Psalm 28 itself says. The psalmist asks the LORD to act, and doesn't say he will act himself: "Give them according to their work … Bring back on them what they deserve" (28:4). He gives a reason, "Because they don’t respect the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands" (28:5), and says what the LORD will do: "he will break them down and not build them up" (28:5). Other verses say that the LORD repays people by what they do. A psalm says, "for you reward every man according to his work" (Psalm 62:12), where work is the Hebrew of Psalm 28:4's operation (tap operation). Proverbs asks, "Shall he not give to every man according to his work?" (Proverbs 24:12), where work is the Hebrew of Psalm 28:4's work (tap work). Paul writes of God, who "will pay back to everyone according to their works" (Romans 2:6). Psalm 28 is not the only psalm that asks God to act against the wicked, and Christians read these prayers in more than one way. The chapter on Psalm 109 sets out the main readings, each resting on its verses, and chooses none. These notes don't choose either.

The verses

“Give them according to their work, and according to the wickedness of their doings. Give them according to the operation of their hands. Bring back on them what they deserve. Because they don’t respect the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he will break them down and not build them up.”
Psalm 28:4-5 · World English Bible
“Also to you, Lord, belongs loving kindness, for you reward every man according to his work.”
Psalm 62:12 · World English Bible
“If you say, “Behold, we didn’t know this,” doesn’t he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, doesn’t he know it? Shall he not give to every man according to his work?”
Proverbs 24:12 · World English Bible
“who “will pay back to everyone according to their works:””
Romans 2:6 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Psalm 28

Psalm 28: The voice of my petitions

The psalm's answer has its request's own words: "Hear the voice of my petitions" (28:2) comes back as "he has heard the voice of my petitions" (28:6), the same Hebrew. And "the operation of their hands" (28:4) and "the operation of his hands" (28:5) are the same words too.

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about Psalm 28

All questions about Psalms →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions