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Psalms 28:4

Psalms 28:4 in Multiple Translations

Repay 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.

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.

Give them according to their work, and according to the wickedness of their doings: Give them after the operation of their hands; Render to them their desert.

Give them the right reward of their acts, and of their evil doings: give them punishment for the works of their hands, let them have their full reward.

Give them what they deserve for their evil actions. Pay them back for what they've done. Give them the reward they've earned!

Reward them according to their deedes, and according to the wickednes of their inuentions: recompense them after the woorke of their handes: render them their reward.

Give to them according to their acting, And according to the evil of their doings. According to the work of their hands give to them. Return their deed to them.

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.

Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavors: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert.

The voice of the Lord is in power; the voice of the Lord in magnificence.

Punish those people in the way that they deserve for what they have done; punish them for their evil deeds [DOU].

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 28:4

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 28:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB תֶּן לָ/הֶ֣ם כְּ/פָעֳלָ/ם֮ וּ/כְ/רֹ֪עַ מַֽעַלְלֵ֫י/הֶ֥ם כְּ/מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה יְ֭דֵי/הֶם תֵּ֣ן לָ/הֶ֑ם הָשֵׁ֖ב גְּמוּלָ֣/ם לָ/הֶֽם
תֶּן nâthan H5414 to give V-Qal-Impv-2ms
לָ/הֶ֣ם Prep | Suff
כְּ/פָעֳלָ/ם֮ pôʻal H6467 work Prep | N-ms | Suff
וּ/כְ/רֹ֪עַ rôaʻ H7455 evil Conj | Prep | N-ms
מַֽעַלְלֵ֫י/הֶ֥ם maʻălâl H4611 deed N-mp | Suff
כְּ/מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה maʻăseh H4639 deed Prep | N-ms
יְ֭דֵי/הֶם yâd H3027 hand N-cd | Suff
תֵּ֣ן nâthan H5414 to give V-Qal-Impv-2ms
לָ/הֶ֑ם Prep | Suff
הָשֵׁ֖ב shûwb H7725 to return V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms
גְּמוּלָ֣/ם gᵉmûwl H1576 recompense N-ms | Suff
לָ/הֶֽם Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 28:4

תֶּן nâthan H5414 "to give" V-Qal-Impv-2ms
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
לָ/הֶ֣ם "" Prep | Suff
כְּ/פָעֳלָ/ם֮ pôʻal H6467 "work" Prep | N-ms | Suff
A work or deed is what this word refers to, describing something that has been done or made. It can also mean wages or the result of an action.
Definition: 1) work, deed, doing 1a) deed, thing done 1b) work, thing made 1c) wages of work 1d) acquisition (of treasure)
Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: act, deed, do, getting, maker, work. See also: Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalms 104:23; Psalms 9:17.
וּ/כְ/רֹ֪עַ rôaʻ H7455 "evil" Conj | Prep | N-ms
This Hebrew word describes something as bad or evil, whether physically or morally. It is used in books like Genesis and Isaiah to convey a sense of wrongdoing. The concept of evil is central to the Bible's teachings.
Definition: 1) badness, evil 1a) badness, bad quality 1b) wilfulness 1c) evil, badness (ethical) 1d) sadness
Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] be so bad, badness, ([idiom] be so) evil, naughtiness, sadness, sorrow, wickedness. See also: Genesis 41:19; Jeremiah 23:2; Psalms 28:4.
מַֽעַלְלֵ֫י/הֶ֥ם maʻălâl H4611 "deed" N-mp | Suff
Maalal means a deed or act, which can be good or bad, such as a practice or invention. It is used in the Bible to describe human actions and their consequences. This term is found in various biblical contexts.
Definition: 1) deed, practice 1a) practice (usually bad) 1b) deeds 1c) acts
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: doing, endeavour, invention, work. See also: Deuteronomy 28:20; Jeremiah 21:12; Psalms 28:4.
כְּ/מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה maʻăseh H4639 "deed" Prep | N-ms
This Hebrew word refers to an action or deed, which can be good or bad. It is used to describe various activities, such as work, business, or achievements. The KJV translates it as act, deed, or labor.
Definition: : judgement/punishment 1) deed, work 1a) deed, thing done, act 1b) work, labour 1c) business, pursuit 1d) undertaking, enterprise 1e) achievement 1f) deeds, works (of deliverance and judgment) 1g) work, thing made 1h) work (of God) 1i) product
Usage: Occurs in 221 OT verses. KJV: act, art, [phrase] bakemeat, business, deed, do(-ing), labor, thing made, ware of making, occupation, thing offered, operation, possession, [idiom] well, (handy-, needle-, net-) work(ing, -manship), wrought. See also: Genesis 5:29; Job 1:10; Psalms 8:4.
יְ֭דֵי/הֶם 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.
תֵּ֣ן nâthan H5414 "to give" V-Qal-Impv-2ms
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
לָ/הֶ֑ם "" Prep | Suff
הָשֵׁ֖ב shûwb H7725 "to return" V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back
Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.
גְּמוּלָ֣/ם gᵉmûwl H1576 "recompense" N-ms | Suff
This word means a reward or recompense for something, like a payment for work done. In the Bible, it is used to describe God's rewards for the faithful, like in Psalm 19. The KJV translates it as recompense or reward.
Definition: 1) dealing, recompense, benefit 1a) dealing (of one's hand) 1b) recompense 1c) benefit
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] as hast served, benefit, desert, deserving, that which he hath given, recompense, reward. See also: Judges 9:16; Isaiah 3:11; Psalms 28:4.
לָ/הֶֽם "" Prep | Suff

Study Notes — Psalms 28:4

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Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Revelation 22:12 “Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done.
2 2 Timothy 4:14 Alexander the coppersmith did great harm to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds.
3 Revelation 18:6 Give back to her as she has done to others; pay her back double for what she has done; mix her a double portion in her own cup.
4 Psalms 109:17–21 The cursing that he loved, may it fall on him; the blessing in which he refused to delight, may it be far from him. The cursing that he wore like a coat, may it soak into his body like water, and into his bones like oil. May it be like a robe wrapped about him, like a belt tied forever around him. May this be the LORD’s reward to my accusers, to those who speak evil against me. But You, O GOD, the Lord, deal kindly with me for the sake of Your name; deliver me by the goodness of Your loving devotion.
5 Psalms 69:22–24 May their table become a snare; may it be a retribution and a trap. May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever. Pour out Your wrath upon them, and let Your burning anger overtake them.
6 Psalms 59:12–13 By the sins of their mouths and the words of their lips, let them be trapped in their pride, in the curses and lies they utter. Consume them in wrath; consume them till they are no more, so it may be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob. Selah
7 Psalms 2:1–5 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One: “Let us break Their chains and cast away Their cords.” The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord taunts them. Then He rebukes them in His anger, and terrifies them in His fury:
8 Ezekiel 38:10 This is what the Lord GOD says: On that day, thoughts will arise in your mind, and you will devise an evil plan.
9 Psalms 103:10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins or repaid us according to our iniquities.
10 Ezra 9:13 After all that has come upon us because of our evil deeds and our great guilt (though You, our God, have punished us less than our iniquities deserve and have given us such a remnant as this),

Psalms 28:4 Summary

This verse is saying that God should punish the wicked people according to what they have done, as seen in Psalms 28:4. The Psalmist is asking God to be just and fair, and to give the wicked what they deserve, similar to what is described in Proverbs 11:21 and Jeremiah 17:10. This is not about seeking revenge, but about trusting in God's justice and sovereignty, as described in Romans 12:19 and Deuteronomy 32:35. We can learn from this verse to trust in God's justice and to seek His mercy and forgiveness, as seen in Psalms 103:8-12 and Matthew 6:14-15.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the Psalmist ask God to repay the wicked according to their deeds?

The Psalmist asks God to repay the wicked according to their deeds because he believes in God's justice, as seen in Psalms 28:4, and wants to see the wicked held accountable for their actions, similar to what is described in Proverbs 24:12 and Jeremiah 25:14.

Is the Psalmist seeking revenge when he asks God to repay the wicked?

No, the Psalmist is not seeking revenge, but rather seeking God's justice and righteousness, as seen in Psalms 28:4, and trusting in God's sovereignty, as described in Romans 12:19 and Deuteronomy 32:35.

What does the phrase 'bring back on them what they deserve' mean?

The phrase 'bring back on them what they deserve' means that the Psalmist is asking God to give the wicked the consequences of their actions, as seen in Psalms 28:4, similar to what is described in Galatians 6:7-8 and Job 4:8.

How can we balance the desire for justice with the command to love our enemies?

We can balance the desire for justice with the command to love our enemies by trusting in God's justice, as seen in Psalms 28:4, and loving our enemies as described in Matthew 5:44, while also seeking God's mercy and forgiveness, as seen in Luke 6:27-36 and Matthew 6:14-15.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways that I have seen God's justice at work in my life or in the world around me?
  2. How can I trust in God's sovereignty and justice when I see wickedness and evil in the world?
  3. What are some ways that I can love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me, as described in Matthew 5:44?
  4. How can I seek God's mercy and forgiveness for my own sins, as seen in Psalms 51:1-2 and Luke 18:13-14?
  5. What does it mean to 'show regard for the works of the LORD' and how can I do this in my daily life, as seen in Psalms 28:5?

Gill's Exposition on Psalms 28:4

Give them according to their deeds,.... According to the demerit of them, which is death, even death eternal; and according to the wickedness of their endeavours; for though wicked men do not always

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 28:4

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. Give them. "Them:" the wicked, enemies.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 28:4

David useth these imprecations, partly, to vindicate himself from the slanders of his enemies, who reported him to be as wicked as they were, only more close and cunning therein; which, if he had been, he had bitterly cursed himself; which it could not reasonably be presumed that he would do; partly, from his great and long experience of their implacable and incorrigible malignity, not only against him, but against God, and his declared will, and against all truly good men, and that covered with pretences of piety to God, and of peaceableness towards their neighbours, , which made their wickedness more inexcusable and detestable; partly, by the instinct and direction of God’ s Spirit, by whose inspiration he uttered this as well as the rest of the Psalm; and partly, that hereby he might provoke them to repentance; for this curse belongs only to those who shall obstinately persist in their wicked courses. Add to all this, that as verbs of the imperative mood are oft used by the Hebrews for futures, so these may not be proper imprecations, but predictions of their destruction.

Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 28:4

Psalms 28:4 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.Ver. 4. Give them according to their deeds] God loveth to retaliate; and David, out of a public and prophetic spirit (not from private revenge, or troubled affections), taketh thus upon him to imprecate. And according to the wickedness of their endeavours] They were therefore old, habituated, irreclaimable sinners whom he thus cursed, and against such this and such like imprecations are still in force. Give them after the works of their hands] Because they regard not the works of thine hands, Psalms 28:5. Par pari, saith Aben Ezra here.

Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 28:4

(4) Give them according to their deeds.—The justice of the lex talionis was deeply impressed on the mind of Israel, and we need not wonder to find its enforcement made the subject of prayer. A general notice of the imprecations of the Psalms will be found in the General Introduction (VI.). Here it is enough to remark that there is no indication of personal animosity or vindictiveness. The poet, even if expressing his own feelings, was identified with devout Israel, to whom it was natural not only to expect from Jehovah the manifestation of judgment which could alone remove the conditions that were so unfavourable to the true religion, but also to pray that He would at the same time vindicate Himself and justify those faithful to Him. (Comp. for the general thought Isaiah 3:8-11.) In the actual course of God’s providence, the retribution is often very accurately apportioned to the evil deed, and the Bible contains many strong instances—e.g., that of Adonibezek (Judges 1:5; Judges 1:7).

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 28:4

Verse 4. Give them] Is the same as thou wilt give them; a prophetic declaration of what their lot will be.

Cambridge Bible on Psalms 28:4

4. Give them according to their work, And according to the evil of their doings: Give them according to the operation of their hands. This is not a vindictive craving for personal revenge, but a solemn prayer that Jehovah will openly convict false and wicked men by manifesting His righteous judgements upon them, and punishing them as they deserve. See Introd. p. xc. Give] Of a judicial sentence. Cp. Hosea 9:14; Jeremiah 32:19. their desert] The word denotes an action either good or bad, and its fitting reward.

Barnes' Notes on Psalms 28:4

Give them according to their deeds - Deal righteously with them. Recompense them as they deserve. And according to the wickedness of their endeavours - Their designs; their works; their plans.

Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 28:4

4. Give them according to their deeds—The prayer of this verse is only that justice may obtain, not for purposes of private revenge, but of public safety.

Sermons on Psalms 28:4

SermonDescription
Charles Finney Design or Intention Constitutes Character by Charles Finney Charles Finney emphasizes that a person's moral character is defined by their ultimate intention rather than their actions or subordinate intentions. He explains the distinction be
Derek Prince Laws of Spiritual Progress - Part 1 by Derek Prince In this sermon, the speaker discusses two lessons they have learned about making spiritual progress. The first principle they emphasize is the importance of taking a step of faith
Derek Prince At the End of Time - Part 1 by Derek Prince This sermon delves into the themes of the end of time, eternity, and the importance of focusing on the eternal realm rather than just temporal matters. It emphasizes the contrast b
Leonard Ravenhill Judgement Seat - Part 2 by Leonard Ravenhill Leonard Ravenhill emphasizes the significance of our lives and actions in the context of the Judgment Seat of Christ, where every believer will be held accountable for their servic
Leonard Ravenhill The Judgement Seat of Christ - Part 2 (Alternate) by Leonard Ravenhill Leonard Ravenhill emphasizes the significance of the Judgment Seat of Christ, where every believer's life and service will be evaluated. He contrasts the eternal rewards for faithf
Paul Washer The Judgment of God and the Great White Throne! by Paul Washer In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of God's revelation and warns about the consequences of its removal. He highlights that on Judgment Day, all the knowledge an
W.F. Kumuyi The Ancient of Days on the Judgment Throne by W.F. Kumuyi This sermon emphasizes the importance of being prepared for the second coming of Christ, highlighting the need for repentance, righteousness, and readiness for judgment. It delves

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