Psalms 28:4

4 Give them the right reward of their acts, and of their evil doings: give them punishment for the works of their hands, let them have their full reward.

Psalms 28:4 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 28:4

Give them according to their deeds
According to the demerit of them, which is death, even death eternal;

and according to the wickedness of their endeavours;
for though wicked men do not always succeed; yet their want of success does not excuse their wickedness;

give them after the work of their hands;
see ( 2 Timothy 4:14 ) ;

render to them their desert;
what their iniquities, in thought, word, and deed, deserve: such petitions are not contrary to that Christian charity which the Gospel recommends; nor do they savour of a spirit of revenge, which is condemned by the word of God; for it should be observed, that these things are said with respect to men given up to a reprobate mind; and that the psalmist does not seek to avenge himself, nor to gratify his own mind; but he sought the glory of God, and moreover spoke by a prophetic spirit, knowing what was the will of God in this case; see ( Psalms 28:5 ) ; and therefore these petitions of his are not to be drawn into an example in common and ordinary cases.

Psalms 28:4 In-Context

2 Give ear to the voice of my prayer, when I am crying to you, when my hands are lifted up to your holy place.

3 Do not take me away with the sinners and the workers of evil, who say words of peace to their neighbours, but evil is in their hearts.

4 Give them the right reward of their acts, and of their evil doings: give them punishment for the works of their hands, let them have their full reward.

5 Because they have no respect for the works of the Lord, or for the things which his hands have made, they will be broken down and not lifted up by him.

6 May the Lord be praised, because he has given ear to the voice of my prayer.