Prayers for Deliverance: A Coptic Orthodox Commentary on Psalm 28

Executive Summary

Psalm 28, a potent prayer for deliverance and vindication, resonates deeply within the Coptic Orthodox tradition. David, facing imminent danger, cries out to the Lord, his Rock, pleading not to be numbered with the wicked. This psalm illuminates the vital importance of earnest prayer, unwavering trust in God’s judgment, and joyful thanksgiving for answered petitions. We explore David’s emotional pleas, dissecting the prophetic foreshadowing of Christ’s own suffering and ultimate triumph over evil. Through the lens of the Church Fathers, we unravel the layers of spiritual meaning embedded within each verse, offering practical guidance for modern Christians seeking refuge and strength in the face of adversity. This Psalm underscores the critical role of prayers for deliverance in our spiritual lives, demonstrating how unwavering faith and heartfelt supplication can lead to God’s protective embrace. Our study of church website design reflects our focus on deliverance and connection to God.

Introduction

Psalm 28 is a passionate plea, a cry from the heart of David, King and Prophet, as he faces the machinations of his enemies. In this psalm, David embodies the faithful soul, desperately seeking refuge in God, the unwavering Rock. It teaches us how to pour out our anxieties and fears before the Lord, trusting in His justice and mercy. It serves as a template for our own prayers for deliverance, reminding us that God is always attentive to the cries of His children.

Commentary: Verse by Verse

Verse 1

Hebrew: אֵלֶיךָ יְהוָה אֶקְרָא צוּרִי אַל־תֶּחֱרַשׁ מִמֶּנִּי פֶּן־תֶּחֱשֶׁה מִמֶּנִּי וְנִמְשַׁלְתִּי עִם־יוֹרְדֵי בֽוֹר

KJV: Unto thee will I cry, O Lord my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.

NKJV: To You I will cry, O Lord my Rock: Do not be silent to me, Lest, if You are silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit.

David begins with an urgent cry. He addresses God as his “Rock” (צוּרִי – tsuri), a metaphor denoting strength, stability, and unwavering protection. The plea “be not silent to me” reveals a deep fear of abandonment and a desperate need for divine reassurance. To be silent is to be absent, and for David, this absence equates to spiritual death, becoming “like them that go down into the pit.”

Spiritual Application: In our daily lives, when facing trials, we must emulate David’s example by calling upon God, recognizing Him as our unshakeable foundation. Silence from God, perceived or real, can be a terrifying prospect. Therefore, we must persevere in prayer, trusting that even in moments of apparent divine silence, God is working behind the scenes. We are reminded of the words of St. Isaac the Syrian: “Σιωπὴν γὰρ ἡσυχίας ὑπόθεσις” (“For silence is the foundation of stillness”) (Isaac the Syrian, Homily 55). Sometimes the quiet is preparation.

Verse 2

Hebrew: שְׁמַע קוֹל תַּחֲנוּנַי בְּשַׁוְעִי אֵלֶיךָ בְּנָשְׂאִי יָדַי אֶל־דְּבִיר קָדְשֶֽׁךָ

KJV: Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.

NKJV: Hear the voice of my supplications When I cry to You, When I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.

David pleads for his supplications to be heard, emphasizing the physical act of lifting his hands toward the “holy oracle” (דְּבִיר קָדְשֶׁךָ – d’vir qodshekha), the innermost sanctuary of the Temple. This gesture signifies reverence, humility, and complete dependence on God. The “holy oracle” was believed to be the dwelling place of God’s presence, a place where His voice could be heard.

Spiritual Application: Lifting our hands in prayer is an ancient tradition that visually represents our surrender and openness to God’s will. While physical posture is important, it is the sincerity and fervor of our hearts that truly matter. We can lift our hearts toward God in prayer at any time, in any place, just as David did, seeking His guidance and mercy. St. Athanasius the Apostolic says, “Τὸ δὲ ὀρθῶς προσεύχεσθαι, τὸ νοῦν εἰς τὸν Θεὸν ἀτενίζειν” (“To pray rightly is to fix the mind on God”) (Athanasius, *Letter to Marcellinus*).

Verse 3

Hebrew: אַל־תִּסְחֲפֵנִי עִם־רְשָׁעִים וְעִם־פֹּעֲלֵי אָוֶן דֹּבְרֵי שָׁלוֹם עִם־רֵעֵיהֶם וְרָעָה בִּלְבָבָֽם

KJV: Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts.

NKJV: Do not drag me away with the wicked And with the workers of iniquity, Who speak peace to their neighbors, But evil is in their hearts.

Here, David implores God not to associate him with the wicked, those who outwardly feign peace but harbor evil intentions. He fears being judged alongside them, emphasizing the duplicity and hypocrisy he witnesses around him. The phrase “speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts” highlights the contrast between outward appearance and inner corruption.

Spiritual Application: We must be discerning, aware of the potential for deception and hypocrisy, both in ourselves and in others. Pray for the grace to discern true motives and to avoid being influenced by those who promote a false peace. It is a reminder to constantly examine our own hearts and to ensure that our actions align with our words. Beware the “wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

Verse 4

Hebrew: תֶּן־לָהֶם כְּפָעֳלָם וּכְרֹעַ מַעַלְלֵיהֶם כְּמַעֲשֵׂה יְדֵיהֶם תֵּן לָהֶם הָשֵׁב גְּמוּלָם לָהֶֽם

KJV: 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.

NKJV: Give them according to their deeds, And according to the wickedness of their endeavors; Give them according to the work of their hands; Render to them what they deserve.

David calls for divine justice, requesting that the wicked be repaid according to their actions. This is not a vindictive desire for personal revenge, but a plea for righteous judgment to prevail. He asks God to reward them according to the “work of their hands” – a direct consequence of their wicked deeds.

Spiritual Application: This verse highlights the principle of divine justice, emphasizing that our actions have consequences. While we are called to forgive and love our enemies, we can also trust in God’s ultimate justice and His ability to right the wrongs of the world. It is a reminder that God sees all and that He will ultimately hold everyone accountable for their actions. This is not vengeance for us, but justice according to God.

Verse 5

Hebrew: כִּי לֹא יָבִינוּ אֶל־פְּעֻלֹּת יְהוָה וְאֶל־מַעֲשֵׂה יָדָיו יֶהֶרְסֵם וְלֹא יִבְנֵֽם

KJV: Because they regard not the works of the Lord, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up.

NKJV: Because they do not regard the works of the Lord, Nor the operation of His hands, He shall destroy them and not build them up.

The reason for the wicked’s deserved punishment is their failure to recognize God’s works and the operation of His hands. They are spiritually blind, unable to perceive God’s power and providence in the world. As a result, God will “destroy them, and not build them up” – a complete and irreversible judgment.

Spiritual Application: We must cultivate a deep awareness of God’s presence and His active involvement in our lives. This requires attentiveness, humility, and a willingness to learn from His creation and His Word. By neglecting God’s works, we risk spiritual blindness and ultimately face His judgment. Regular prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, the pillars of our faith, aid in this spiritual vision.

Verse 6

Hebrew: בָּרוּךְ יְהוָה כִּי שָׁמַע קוֹל תַּחֲנוּנָֽי

KJV: Blessed be the Lord, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.

NKJV: Blessed be the Lord, Because He has heard the voice of my supplications!

A shift occurs from petition to praise. David, confident that his prayer has been heard, offers thanksgiving to the Lord. He acknowledges God’s attentiveness to his “supplications,” demonstrating a profound trust in God’s responsiveness.

Spiritual Application: Gratitude is an essential element of prayer. Even before receiving a tangible answer, we should offer thanks to God for hearing our petitions and for His unwavering love and faithfulness. This verse reminds us to always acknowledge God’s blessings and to cultivate an attitude of gratitude in all circumstances. It is the “Eucharist,” which in Greek (Εὐχαριστία) means “thanksgiving.”

Verse 7

Hebrew: יְהוָה עֻזִּי וּמָגִנִּי בּוֹ בָטַח לִבִּי וְנֶעֱזָרְתִּי וַיַּעֲלֹז לִבִּי וּמִשִּׁירִי אֲהוֹדֶֽנּוּ

KJV: The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

NKJV: The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him.

David declares that the Lord is his “strength” (עֻזִּי – uzzi) and “shield” (מָגִנִּי – maginni), his source of power and protection. His heart trusted in God, and as a result, he was “helped” (נֶעֱזָרְתִּי – ne’ezarti). His heart “greatly rejoices” (וַיַּעֲלֹז לִבִּי – vayya’aloz libbi), and he expresses his gratitude through song.

Spiritual Application: This verse affirms the transformative power of trust in God. When we place our faith in Him, we receive strength, protection, and joy. Our hearts are filled with praise, and we are compelled to express our gratitude through worship and service. God isn’t just a shield *for* us, but our very strength.

Verse 8

Hebrew: יְהוָה עֹז־לָמוֹ וּמָעוֹז יְשׁוּעוֹת מְשִׁיחוֹ הֽוּא

KJV: The Lord is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.

NKJV: The Lord is their strength, And He is the saving refuge of His anointed.

David broadens his perspective, stating that the Lord is the strength of “them” – likely referring to the people of Israel. He is also “the saving refuge of His anointed” (מְשִׁיחוֹ – m’shicho), a clear reference to the Messiah. This verse foreshadows the ultimate deliverance that would come through Jesus Christ.

Spiritual Application: This verse connects David’s personal experience of deliverance to the larger story of God’s saving plan for humanity. Jesus Christ, the ultimate “anointed,” is our refuge and our strength. Through Him, we receive salvation and the promise of eternal life. The Coptic Church emphasizes the communal aspect of salvation: we are saved *together*, as the Body of Christ.

Verse 9

Hebrew: הוֹשִׁיעָה אֶת־עַמֶּךָ וּבָרֵךְ אֶת־נַחֲלָתֶךָ וּרְעֵם וְנַשְּׂאֵם עַד־עוֹלָֽם

KJV: Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever.

NKJV: Save Your people, And bless Your inheritance; Shepherd them also, And bear them up forever.

David concludes with a final plea for God to save His people, to bless His inheritance, and to shepherd them forever. He asks God to “feed them also, and lift them up for ever” – a call for both spiritual and temporal nourishment. This verse encapsulates David’s pastoral heart and his deep concern for the well-being of his people.

Spiritual Application: We are called to pray for the salvation and well-being of others, particularly our brothers and sisters in Christ. We should also ask God to shepherd us, to guide us, and to lift us up, both in this life and in the life to come. This is our responsibility towards each other as members of the one Body.

Key Reflections on Psalm 28

Here are some key takeaways from Psalm 28 that resonate with our Coptic Orthodox understanding of faith and prayer:

• The Importance of Earnest Prayer: David’s psalm underscores the power of heartfelt, persistent prayer. He doesn’t shy away from expressing his fears and anxieties to God.
• Trust in God’s Righteousness: While seeking deliverance, David trusts in God’s justice to deal with the wicked according to their deeds.
• Gratitude for Answered Prayer: David’s expression of praise and thanksgiving demonstrates the importance of recognizing and appreciating God’s blessings.
• God as Our Strength and Shield: The psalm portrays God as a source of unwavering strength and protection, offering security in times of trouble.
• The Prophetic Foreshadowing of Christ: Verse 8 points to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, as the ultimate source of salvation and refuge.
• Shepherding and Caring for God’s People: David’s final plea emphasizes the need to care for and uplift the community of believers.

FAQ ❓

Here are some frequently asked questions about Psalm 28, answered from a Coptic Orthodox perspective:

• Q: Why does David ask God to punish the wicked in Psalm 28? Is this compatible with Christian love?

  A: David’s plea for justice is not a call for personal vengeance, but rather a recognition of God’s righteousness and His commitment to upholding justice in the world. It is a prayer for the establishment of God’s Kingdom, where evil is ultimately defeated. While we are called to love our enemies and pray for them, we can also trust in God’s perfect justice and His ability to right all wrongs.

• Q: How does Psalm 28 relate to the Coptic Orthodox understanding of prayer?

  A: Psalm 28 exemplifies the Coptic Orthodox emphasis on fervent, heartfelt prayer. It demonstrates the importance of pouring out our hearts before God, trusting in His mercy, and expressing gratitude for His blessings. The psalm also underscores the communal aspect of prayer, as David prays not only for himself but also for the salvation and well-being of God’s people.

• Q: What does it mean for God to be our “Rock,” as described in Psalm 28?

  A: Referring to God as our “Rock” highlights His steadfastness, immutability, and unwavering protection. He is the foundation upon which we can build our lives, providing security and stability in the face of adversity. Like a physical rock, God is a refuge to whom we can always run for safety and strength. He is the foundation upon which we stand.

Conclusion

Psalm 28 stands as a timeless testament to the power of prayer, the importance of trust, and the unwavering love of God. David’s heartfelt plea for deliverance resonates with all who face adversity, reminding us that we can always turn to the Lord, our Rock, for strength and refuge. This psalm teaches us how to approach God with honesty, humility, and gratitude, trusting in His perfect justice and His unfailing love. As Coptic Orthodox Christians, we can draw inspiration from David’s example, cultivating a deep and abiding relationship with God through prayer and seeking His guidance in all aspects of our lives. The power of prayers for deliverance cannot be understated, and Psalm 28 serves as a powerful model for our supplications.

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Psalm 28, Prayers for Deliverance, Coptic Orthodox, David, Prayer, Thanksgiving, Trust, Justice, Rock, Refuge

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Explore Psalm 28 with a Coptic Orthodox lens: a powerful prayer for deliverance! Discover its spiritual depth, historical context, and practical applications.