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The Lord Is My Strength and My Shield
Of David.
28 To you, O LORD, I call;
my rock, be not deaf to me,
lest, if you be silent to me,
I become like those who go down to the pit.
Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy,
when I cry to you for help,
when I lift up my hands
toward your most holy sanctuary.
Do not drag me off with the wicked,
with the workers of evil,
who speak peace with their neighbors
while evil is in their hearts.
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.
Because they do not regard the works of the LORD
or the work of his hands,
he will tear them down and build them up no more.
Blessed be the LORD!
For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.
The LORD is my strength and my shield;
in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults,
and with my song I give thanks to him.
The LORD is the strength of his people;
he is the saving refuge of his anointed.
Oh, save your people and bless your heritage!
Be their shepherd and carry them forever.
(ESV)
Psalm 28 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
What does it mean to trust in the Rock of our Salvation? David uses the phrase “My Rock” in verse 1. The term can also mean ‘strong tower’ or ‘refuge.’ So, what does it mean to acknowledge the Lord as your Rock?
”It is a remarkable fact that in all the Old Testament literature, ‘rock’ is reserved as a figure of Deity….never for man.”
G. Campbell Morgan
When we think of standing upon a rock, we think of a firm and solid foundation. We can trust and know that the ground beneath us will not fail. Our common sense tells us that resting upon a rock gives us a reliable, predictable anchor. We can lean on it and it will not crumble. We can find stability for when we are crippled. We can hide under a rock to find refuge when a storm comes.
This illustration of a rock parallels the parable of the lost son. When turmoil and instability came, he remembered the rock, his father, who had always been there for him. He thought back to the absolute nature of his father’s character. Though embarrassed to go back, he knew that the consistent goodness of his father may at least allow him to return and start over again. He had faith in the father’s strength and mercy. He trusted it enough to show his face once again, humiliated, but hopeful.
“But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! 18 ‘I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.”‘
Luke 15:17-19 NASB
At this moment, the son longed for something firm to stand on. Even though he neglected this foundation in his life, the rock itself had never changed. He received the same love and support which had always been there. In fact, there was grace and mercy that he had never before experienced.
What does it mean to lean upon the Rock? First, we must admit that we are not the rock. Just like Morgan writes above, the term rock in the OT was always reserved for God Himself – not man. We deceive ourselves if we believe we can produce stability in this life. So, the first step is acknowledging our place. We need absolute ground to walk on and God can provide that. However, the second step involves trusting Him enough to take that first step!