Psalms 28:4

4 Give to them according to their acting, And according to the evil of their doings. According to the work of their hands give to them. Return their deed to them.

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 the voice of my supplications, In my crying unto Thee, In my lifting up my hands toward thy holy oracle.

3 Draw me not with the wicked, And with workers of iniquity, Speaking peace with their neighbours, And evil in their heart.

4 Give to them according to their acting, And according to the evil of their doings. According to the work of their hands give to them. Return their deed to them.

5 For they attend not to the doing of Jehovah, And unto the work of His hands. He throweth them down, And doth not build them up.

6 Blessed [is] Jehovah, For He hath heard the voice of my supplications.