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Psalm 28:4

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.

2Hear the voice of my petitions, when I cry to you, when I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.
3Don’t draw me away with the wicked, with the workers of iniquity who speak peace with their neighbors, but mischief is in their hearts.
4Give 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.
5Because 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.
6Blessed be the LORD, because he has heard the voice of my petitions.
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← Psalm 28:3Psalm 28:5 →
Notice

The repeated demand for repayment can be hard to pray: David asks God to punish people whose words of peace conceal harm.

Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.

What troubles you about asking God to give people what their deeds deserve?

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How does the neighbors’ false peace in verse 3 shape your reading of this plea?

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What would entrusting judgment to God look like when words of peace conceal harm?

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Connect

Where else Scripture says this

12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.

This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Revelation 20:12I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and they opened books. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were …Both texts connect judgment with works: the psalm asks for repayment, and Revelation describes the dead being judged according to their works.
2 Timothy 4:14Alexander the coppersmith did much evil to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds.Both texts look to the Lord for repayment according to deeds in response to evil.
Isaiah 3:11Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them, for the deeds of their hands will be paid back to them.Both texts speak of the wicked receiving repayment for the deeds of their hands.
2 Samuel 3:39I am weak today, though anointed king. These men, the sons of Zeruiah are too hard for me. May the LORD reward the evildoer according to his wickedness.”Both prayers ask the Lord to repay an evildoer according to wickedness.
Revelation 22:12“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, to repay to each man according to his work.Both texts speak of repayment according to deeds, though the psalm asks for it and Revelation announces it.
Revelation 18:6Return to her just as she returned, and repay her double as she did, and according to her works. In the cup which she mixed, mix to her double.Both passages demand repayment for wrongdoing, while Revelation adds the demand that repayment be doubled.
Psalm 109:17–21Yes, he loved cursing, and it came to him. He didn’t delight in blessing, and it was far from him.Both texts link harmful conduct with consequences returning upon the person responsible.
Lamentations 3:64You will pay them back, LORD, according to the work of their hands.Both address the Lord about paying people back according to the work of their hands.
Romans 11:9David says, “Let their table be made a snare, a trap, a stumbling block, and a retribution to them.Both contain appeals for retribution, with Romans quoting a plea that a table become a trap.
Judges 9:20but if not, let fire come out from Abimelech and devour the men of Shechem and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem and from the …Both passages call for destructive consequences upon others, though Judges names fire and Psalm 28 asks for repayment according to deeds.
1 Kings 8:39then hear in heaven, your dwelling place, and forgive, and act, and give to every man according to all his ways, whose heart you know (for you, even you only, …Both prayers ask God to give people according to their conduct; Kings also asks for forgiveness and names God’s knowledge of hearts.
Psalm 69:22–24Let their table before them become a snare. May it become a retribution and a trap.Both prayers seek retribution against others, with Psalm 69 asking that their table become a snare.
Where this verse fits

Injustice and anger. sermon or Bible study notes.

What the Bible says about anger →
One step

Something small to carry out of this verse

Name one injustice before God and entrust judgment to him

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Encouragement

The harm behind words of peace matters here. David asks God to punish evildoers; his plea is addressed to God and gives no command to take revenge.

Now put it in your words.

Start an entry on Psalm 28:4. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.

Keep goingPsalm 28 · the whole chapter with its connection mapPsalms · every chapterBuild a reading plan through Psalms

Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).