Psalm 28 — Plea for Divine Assistance

If you suffer from the weakness of nature as the plots against you grow more shameless so that you have scarcely any rest, then cry out to the Lord, in Psalm 28.

Athanasius, On the Interpretation of the Psalms

The things the psalmist complains about are things we understand well, showing once again that human nature never changes. The thing that can change is adding God to the equation, in whom we trust and whose promises we can believe.

David Composing the Psalms, Paris Psalter, 10th century

 This commentary considers the implications of this plea against the wicked from the psalm:

Repay them for their deeds
and for their evil work,
repay them for what their hands have done
and bring back upon them what they deserve.

Retribution

In our psalm, it is interesting to note the kinds of "work" for which the psalmist's enemies are condemned. It is not that these are murderers or thieves—there is no indication of physical assault or robbery. Instead they are described as "two-faced" or deceptive in their relations with others. They "speak peace" to their neighbors—expressing a concern for others' well-being—while actually harboring resentments and "malice" toward those they address. This is an interior attitude of self-focus and self-concern that is not visible to those around about. Yet lack of integrity in inner thought and outer expression is one of the sinful attitudes commonly addressed in the psalms.

... Even in the world of human relationships, hidden motivations and attitudes often are received through actions more than words. Malice in the heart will ultimately inform what the hands do.

Psalms vol. 1 (The NIV Application Commentary)

Sources are here and an index of psalm posts is here.