Psalms 28:2
Psalms 28:2 in Multiple Translations
Hear my cry for mercy when I call to You for help, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.
Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.
Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, When I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.
Give ear to the voice of my prayer, when I am crying to you, when my hands are lifted up to your holy place.
Listen as I appeal for mercy, as I call for help, as I hold up my hands in prayer towards your holy Temple.
Heare the voyce of my petitions, when I crie vnto thee, when I holde vp mine handes towarde thine holy Oracle.
Hear the voice of my supplications, In my crying unto Thee, In my lifting up my hands toward thy holy oracle.
Hear the voice of my petitions, when I cry to you, when I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.
Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry to thee, when I lift my hands towards thy holy oracle.
Bring to the Lord glory and honour: bring to the Lord glory to his name: adore ye the Lord in his holy court.
Listen to me when I call out for you to help me, when I pray, lifting up my hands as I face your sacred temple.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 28:2
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 28:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
שְׁמַ֤ע
ק֣וֹל
תַּ֭חֲנוּנַ/י
בְּ/שַׁוְּעִ֣/י
אֵלֶ֑י/ךָ
בְּ/נָשְׂאִ֥/י
יָ֝דַ֗/י
אֶל
דְּבִ֥יר
קָדְשֶֽׁ/ךָ
שְׁמַ֤ע
shâmaʻ
H8085
to hear
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
ק֣וֹל
qôwl
H6963
voice
N-ms
תַּ֭חֲנוּנַ/י
tachănûwn
H8469
supplication
N-mp | Suff
בְּ/שַׁוְּעִ֣/י
shâvaʻ
H7768
to cry
Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a | Suff
אֵלֶ֑י/ךָ
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep | Suff
בְּ/נָשְׂאִ֥/י
nâsâʼ
H5375
to lift
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
יָ֝דַ֗/י
yâd
H3027
hand
N-cd | Suff
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
דְּבִ֥יר
dᵉbîyr
H1687
sanctuary
N-ms
קָדְשֶֽׁ/ךָ
qôdesh
H6944
Holy Place
N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 28:2
שְׁמַ֤ע
shâmaʻ
H8085
"to hear"
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
To hear and listen is what this Hebrew word means, often implying attention and obedience. In Exodus and Deuteronomy, it is used when God speaks to the people, and they must listen and obey.
Definition: : hear v 1) to hear, listen to, obey 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to hear (perceive by ear) 1a2) to hear of or concerning 1a3) to hear (have power to hear) 1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to 1a5) to understand (language) 1a6) to hear (of judicial cases) 1a7) to listen, give heed 1a7a) to consent, agree 1a7b) to grant request 1a8) to listen to, yield to 1a9) to obey, be obedient 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound) 1b2) to be heard of 1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed 1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound 1d2) to sound aloud (musical term) 1d3) to make proclamation, summon 1d4) to cause to be heard n m 2) sound
Usage: Occurs in 1072 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. See also: Genesis 3:8; Exodus 32:18; Deuteronomy 27:9.
ק֣וֹל
qôwl
H6963
"voice"
N-ms
A voice or sound, it can refer to the sound of a person speaking, an animal, or a musical instrument. In the Bible, it is often used to describe God's voice or the sound of praise and worship.
Definition: : sound/noise 1) voice, sound, noise 1a) voice 1b) sound (of instrument)
Usage: Occurs in 436 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, bleating, crackling, cry ([phrase] out), fame, lightness, lowing, noise, [phrase] hold peace, (pro-) claim, proclamation, [phrase] sing, sound, [phrase] spark, thunder(-ing), voice, [phrase] yell. See also: Genesis 3:8; Judges 5:11; Job 4:10.
תַּ֭חֲנוּנַ/י
tachănûwn
H8469
"supplication"
N-mp | Suff
This Hebrew word describes an earnest or heartfelt prayer, often used to express a deep desire for God's help or favor. It can be a plea to man or God, seeking kindness or mercy. The KJV translates it as intreaty or supplication.
Definition: 1) supplication, supplication for favour 1a) to man 1b) to God
Usage: Occurs in 18 OT verses. KJV: intreaty, supplication. See also: 2 Chronicles 6:21; Psalms 143:1; Psalms 28:2.
בְּ/שַׁוְּעִ֣/י
shâvaʻ
H7768
"to cry"
Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a | Suff
To cry out in the original Hebrew means to shout for help or freedom from trouble. This verb is used to describe calling out for assistance in times of need.
Definition: (Piel) to cry out (for help), shout
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: cry (aloud, out), shout. See also: Job 19:7; Psalms 22:25; Psalms 18:7.
אֵלֶ֑י/ךָ
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
בְּ/נָשְׂאִ֥/י
nâsâʼ
H5375
"to lift"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to lift or raise something, and it's used in many ways, like lifting a burden or raising someone's status. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often talking about God lifting people up. It's about supporting or carrying something or someone.
Definition: : raise/take_up 1) to lift, bear up, carry, take 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lift, lift up 1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure 1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted 1b2) to lift oneself up, rise up 1b3) to be borne, be carried 1b4) to be taken away, be carried off, be swept away 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to lift up, exalt, support, aid, assist 1c2) to desire, long (fig.) 1c3) to carry, bear continuously 1c4) to take, take away 1d) (Hithpael) to lift oneself up, exalt oneself 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to cause one to bear (iniquity) 1e2) to cause to bring, have brought
Usage: Occurs in 609 OT verses. KJV: accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield. See also: Genesis 4:13; Numbers 4:2; 1 Samuel 14:3.
יָ֝דַ֗/י
yâd
H3027
"hand"
N-cd | Suff
In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.
Definition: : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists
Usage: Occurs in 1446 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 7:19; Leviticus 14:22.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
דְּבִ֥יר
dᵉbîyr
H1687
"sanctuary"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for the innermost part of the temple or tabernacle, the most holy place where God's presence dwelled. It is also translated as oracle, emphasizing its role in divine communication.
Definition: 1) the holy of holies, the innermost room of the temple or tabernacle 1a) hindmost chamber, innermost room of the temple of Solomon, most holy place, holy of holies 2) (TWOT) oracle
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: oracle. See also: 1 Kings 6:5; 1 Kings 7:49; Psalms 28:2.
קָדְשֶֽׁ/ךָ
qôdesh
H6944
"Holy Place"
N-ms | Suff
The Holy Place refers to a sacred or set-apart area, like the temple in Jerusalem. It is a place of sanctity and holiness, where God is worshipped. The Bible describes it as a place of reverence and awe.
Definition: This name means apartness, holiness, sacredness Also named: hagion (ἅγιον "Holy Place" G0039)
Usage: Occurs in 380 OT verses. KJV: consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing), hallowed (thing), holiness, ([idiom] most) holy ([idiom] day, portion, thing), saint, sanctuary. See also: Exodus 3:5; Leviticus 23:4; 1 Chronicles 26:26.
Study Notes — Psalms 28:2
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 28:2 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 28:2
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 28:2
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 28:2
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 28:2
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 28:2
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 28:2
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 28:2
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 28:2
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 28:2
- Sermons on Psalms 28:2
Context — The LORD Is My Strength
1To You, O LORD, I call; be not deaf to me, O my Rock. For if You remain silent, I will be like those descending to the Pit.
2Hear my cry for mercy when I call to You for help, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.
3Do not drag me away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, who speak peace to their neighbors while malice is in their hearts. 4Repay them according to their deeds and for their works of evil. Repay them for what their hands have done; bring back on them what they deserve.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 138:2 | I bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your loving devotion and Your faithfulness; You have exalted Your name and Your word above all else. |
| 2 | Psalms 141:2 | May my prayer be set before You like incense, my uplifted hands like the evening offering. |
| 3 | Psalms 140:6 | I say to the LORD, “You are my God.” Hear, O LORD, my cry for help. |
| 4 | 1 Timothy 2:8 | Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or dissension. |
| 5 | Psalms 5:7 | But I will enter Your house by the abundance of Your loving devotion; in reverence I will bow down toward Your holy temple. |
| 6 | Psalms 134:2 | Lift up your hands to the sanctuary and bless the LORD! |
| 7 | Daniel 6:10 | Now when Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house, where the windows of his upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before. |
| 8 | Lamentations 2:19 | Arise, cry out in the night from the first watch of the night. Pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to Him for the lives of your children who are fainting from hunger on the corner of every street. |
| 9 | 1 Kings 8:28–30 | Yet regard the prayer and plea of Your servant, O LORD my God, so that You may hear the cry and the prayer that Your servant is praying before You today. May Your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, toward the place of which You said, ‘My Name shall be there,’ so that You may hear the prayer that Your servant prays toward this place. Hear the plea of Your servant and of Your people Israel when they pray toward this place. May You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place. May You hear and forgive. |
| 10 | Psalms 63:4 | So I will bless You as long as I live; in Your name I will lift my hands. |
Psalms 28:2 Summary
[Psalms 28:2 is a prayer where the writer asks God to hear their cry for help and have mercy on them. The writer is lifting their hands up to God's special place of worship, showing they surrender to Him and need His help. This is like what we read in Psalms 63:4, where the writer also lifts their hands to God. We can do the same when we need God's help, by praying sincerely and trusting in His mercy, as we see in Romans 10:13.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary' in Psalms 28:2?
This is a posture of prayer and worship, symbolizing surrender and reverence towards God, as seen in Psalms 63:4 and 1 Timothy 2:8.
Why does the psalmist ask God to 'hear my cry for mercy' in this verse?
The psalmist is seeking God's help and deliverance in a time of need, recognizing God's character as a merciful and compassionate God, as described in Exodus 34:6 and Psalms 103:8.
How can I apply the principle of crying out to God for mercy in my own life?
We can apply this principle by following the example of the psalmist, humbly and sincerely crying out to God for help in our times of need, as encouraged in Romans 10:13 and 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.
What is the significance of God's 'holy sanctuary' in this verse?
The holy sanctuary refers to the place where God dwells, emphasizing God's holiness and transcendence, as seen in Leviticus 16:2 and Hebrews 10:19-22.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I need to cry out to God for mercy and help?
- How can I cultivate a posture of prayer and worship in my daily life, like the psalmist in this verse?
- What are some ways I can demonstrate my reverence and surrender to God, like lifting up my hands towards His holy sanctuary?
- How can I trust in God's mercy and character when faced with difficult circumstances, as the psalmist does in this verse?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 28:2
Hear the voice of my supplications,.... Which proceed from the Spirit of grace and of supplication, and are put up in an humble manner, under a sense of wants and unworthiness, and on the foot of
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 28:2
Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry unto thee when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 28:2
i.e. Towards the holy of holies, which is so called, , compared with : compare also 8:6, because there the ark was; from whence God gave oracular answers to his people; and to which they accordingly directed their prayers, not only when they drew near to it, but when they were at a distance from it, as .
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 28:2
Psalms 28:2 Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.Ver. 2. When I lift up my hands] An ordinary gesture in prayer, expressing faith (for they held out their open hands, as craving beggars with the palms upward, 1 Kings 8:22) and helping fervency; while hands and heart went up together to God in the heavens, Lamentations 3:40. Preces fundimus, ecelum tundimus, miserieordiam extorquemus, &c. (Tertul.). Toward thy holy oracle] Called Debhir, because therehence God spake and gave answer. Toward this (a type of Christ, the Word essential) David lifteth up his hands; that it might be as a ladder whereby his prayer might get up to heaven. The devil also, who delighteth to be God’ s ape, but for man’ s mischief, gave oracles at Delphi and elsewhere (Herod. Clio); but ëïîá et mendacia, doubtful and lying; as to Croesus, Pyrrhus, others. But the eternity of Israel cannot lie, 1 Samuel 15:29; every word of God is pure, he is a shield to them that put their trust in him, Proverbs 30:5.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 28:2
(2) Lift up my hands.—For interesting illustrations of this Oriental custom see Exodus 9:29; 1 Kings 8:22, &c. Compare the well-known line:— “If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer.” : Morte d’Arthur.Holy oracle.—Better, the shrine of thy sanctuary (see margin)—i.e., the holy of holies, the adytum, or inner recess of the Temple in which the ark was placed, as we see from 1 Kings 6:19-22. The Hebrew word, which is of doubtful derivation, is, with the exception of this place, only found in Kings and Chronicles. The margin, “the oracle of thy sanctuary,” is a better rendering than the text.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 28:2
Verse 2. Toward thy holy oracle.] דביר קדשך debir kodshecha; debir properly means that place in the holy of holies from which God gave oracular answers to the high priest. This is a presumptive proof that there was a temple now standing; and the custom of stretching out the hands in prayer towards the temple, when the Jews were at a distance from it, is here referred to.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 28:2
2. The first line recurs in Psalms 31:22. when I cry] A stronger word than that in Psalms 28:1, meaning to cry for help. when I lift up my hands] The attitude of prayer (Psalms 63:4; 1 Timothy 2:8), the outward symbol of an uplifted heart (Psalms 25:1). toward thy holy oracle] Lit., as R.V. marg., toward the innermost place of thy sanctuary, i.e. the most holy place, where the Ark, the symbol of God’s Presence among His people, was. See 1 Kings 6:16 ff; 1 Kings 8:6. The rendering oracle, following Jerome’s oraculum, rests upon a wrong derivation. The word does not in itself denote the place where God answers. It is used elsewhere only in the accounts of the building of the Temple (1 Kings 6-8; 2 Chronicles 3-5). The worshipper naturally turns as he prays towards Jehovah’s dwelling-place in heaven (1 Kings 8:22), or its earthly counterpart (1 Kings 8:30 ff.). Cp. Psalms 5:7.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 28:2
Hear the voice of my supplications - It was not mental prayer which he offered; it was a petition uttered audibly. When I lift up my hands - To lift up the hands denotes supplication, as this was a common attitude in prayer.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 28:2
2. I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle—The “oracle” was the inner sanctuary, or “holy of holies.” 1 Kings 6:16; 1 Kings 8:6.
Sermons on Psalms 28:2
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Above All Things by Alistair Begg | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the importance of exalting God's name and word above all else. The verse "You have exalted above all things your name and your word" serves a |
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The Pathway of Increasing Light by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen emphasizes the importance of walking in increasing light on the path of God's will, which is illuminated by His Word. He warns against elevating human traditions to the |
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Honoring the Lord by Octavius Winslow | Octavius Winslow emphasizes the importance of honoring God as stated in 1 Samuel 2:30, warning against the dangers of interpreting Scripture through human standards rather than acc |
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The Message of Psalms by G. Campbell Morgan | G. Campbell Morgan emphasizes the profound truths about worship as revealed in the Psalms, highlighting the conception of God as Jehovah, Elohim, and Adonahy, which compels worship |
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Prayer Is a Warfare by B.H. Clendennen | B.H. Clendennen emphasizes that prayer is a form of spiritual warfare, drawing parallels between the distinctiveness of prayer and the evening sacrifice in the Old Testament. He re |
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(Exodus) Exodus 30:34-38 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the significance of the altar of incense in the tabernacle. The altar of incense represents prayer and worship, where believers offer their pr |
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A Strong Delusion by B.H. Clendennen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of returning to the power of the Holy Spirit, highlighting the decline of the church when the Holy Spirit is not central, the need for individ |