Psalms 28:4

4 Repay them for their deeds and for their evil work; repay them for what their hands have done and bring back on them what they deserve.

Psalms 28:4 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
4 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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
4 Give to them according to their work and according to the evil of their deeds; give to them according to the work of their hands; render them their due reward.
New Living Translation (NLT)
4 Give them the punishment they so richly deserve! Measure it out in proportion to their wickedness. Pay them back for all their evil deeds! Give them a taste of what they have done to others.
The Message Bible (MSG)
4 They talk a good line of "peace," then moonlight for the Devil. Pay them back for what they've done, for how bad they've been. Pay them back for their long hours in the Devil's workshop; Then cap it with a huge bonus.
American Standard Version (ASV)
4 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.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
4 Pay them back for what they have done, for their evil deeds. Pay them back for what their hands have done, and give them what they deserve.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
4 Repay them according to what they have done- according to the evil of their deeds. Repay them according to the work of their hands; give them back what they deserve.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
4 Pay them back for their evil actions. Pay them back for what their hands have done. Give them exactly what they should get.

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 Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.
3 Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts.
4 Repay them for their deeds and for their evil work; repay them for what their hands have done and bring back on them what they deserve.
5 Because they have no regard for the deeds of the LORDand what his hands have done, he will tear them down and never build them up again.
6 Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Psalms 62:12; 2 Timothy 4:14; Revelation 22:12
  • 2. Lamentations 3:64; Revelation 18:6
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