Psalm 28 5

Psalm 28:5 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.

Psalm 28:5 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.

Psalm 28:5 niv

Because they have no regard for the deeds of the LORD and what his hands have done, he will tear them down and never build them up again.

Psalm 28:5 esv

Because they do not regard the works of the LORD or the work of his hands, he will tear them down and build them up no more.

Psalm 28:5 nlt

They care nothing for what the LORD has done
or for what his hands have made.
So he will tear them down,
and they will never be rebuilt!

Psalm 28 verses

Psalm 28 5 Meaning

Psalm 28:5 pronounces a divine judgment upon those who stubbornly refuse to acknowledge or understand God's actions in the world and His mighty creative and redemptive deeds. Their deliberate disregard and lack of discernment concerning the powerful workings of the Almighty will result in their irreversible demolition and complete destruction, rather than any restoration or rebuilding. It emphasizes that ignoring God's sovereign intervention and His active presence leads to inevitable ruin.

Psalm 28 5 Context

Psalm 28 is a personal lament and prayer of David, marked by his intense plea for divine intervention and justice. The preceding verses (1-4) articulate David's fervent prayer for deliverance from the wicked and those who speak peace while harboring evil, asking God not to let him be drawn down into the pit or perish with them. Verse 5 serves as the justification for God's impending judgment upon these wicked individuals. David is essentially stating that their ultimate downfall is righteous retribution because their refusal to acknowledge God's active involvement in human affairs and their persistent denial of His power and authority warrants a destructive end. Following this verse, David shifts to praise and trust in the Lord (vv. 6-9), having expressed his petition and understanding of God's justice. The historical context reflects a king facing opposition, likely from internal or external enemies, seeking divine vindication and protection.

Psalm 28 5 Word analysis

• Because (יַעַן - yaan): This conjunction introduces the cause or reason for the impending judgment. It establishes a direct cause-and-effect relationship, highlighting that the destruction is not arbitrary but a righteous consequence of their actions or inactions.
• they do not regard (לֹא־יָבִינוּ - lo-yavinu): The Hebrew yavinu comes from the root bin (בּין), meaning "to discern," "to understand," "to perceive," or "to consider with insight." It implies more than a mere failure to notice; it suggests a willful ignorance, a profound lack of spiritual comprehension, or a deliberate refusal to truly grasp and acknowledge. It speaks to a heart-level disregard, a chosen blindness to obvious truths.
• the works of the LORD (פְּעֻלֹּת יְהוָה - p'ullot YHVH): P'ullot refers to the "acts," "deeds," or "operations" that God performs. This encompasses His creation of the world, His historical interventions (like the Exodus), His provisions, His judgments, and all demonstrations of His power and faithfulness throughout time. These are objective realities accessible to human observation. YHVH (Yahweh) is the personal, covenantal name of God, emphasizing His self-existent and ever-active nature.
• nor the operation of His hands (וּמַעֲשֵׂה יָדָיו - u'ma'aseh yadav): This phrase forms a classic poetic parallelism, reinforcing the previous statement. Ma'aseh similarly means "work," "deed," or "making." "His hands" (yadav) is an anthropomorphism emphasizing God's direct agency, power, and skillful execution. It denotes the visible evidence of God's active involvement in creation and history.
• He shall destroy them (יֶהֶרְסֵם - yeharsem): The verb haras (הָרַס) means "to tear down," "to demolish," "to pull down," or "to ruin." It suggests complete and utter ruin, like the demolition of a building. It indicates an irreversible breaking apart, a removal from existence or function.
• and not build them up (וְלֹא יִבְנֵם - v'lo yivnem): This strong negative parallelism directly contrasts "destroy" (haras). Banah (בּנה) means "to build," "to establish," or "to restore." By stating "and not build them up," the verse emphasizes the finality and lack of remedy for their destruction. There will be no reconstruction, no restoration, no hope for rebuilding what has been torn down. It signifies an enduring judgment without future reestablishment.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Because they do not regard...nor the operation of His hands": This group of words powerfully outlines the sin: not a lack of seeing God's works, but a deliberate lack of understanding or heeding them. It’s spiritual blindness stemming from a rebellious will, implying active suppression of truth rather than passive ignorance. This refers to all God's providential care, historical acts, and moral law – the clear evidence of His presence and sovereignty.
• "He shall destroy them and not build them up": This phrase pronounces the certain and permanent nature of the divine judgment. The two verbs are antonyms, reinforcing that this destruction is absolute and final. It communicates the grim reality that when God determines judgment based on willful rebellion, there is no prospect of renewal or restoration for those who defy Him.

Psalm 28 5 Bonus section

The refusal to "regard the works of the LORD" also implicitly rejects the Giver of life and order, thus inviting chaos and destruction. This verse highlights that judgment is not arbitrary but a just recompense for an individual's persistent rebellion and refusal to acknowledge the God who reveals Himself through His deeds. It also warns against practical atheism, where God's existence is perhaps intellectually acknowledged but His active involvement in life and the consequences of ignoring Him are utterly disregarded in one's conduct. The language implies a divine judicial act where those who ignore the "hand" of the Lord will themselves be dealt with by that same powerful hand.

Psalm 28 5 Commentary

Psalm 28:5 serves as a theological statement about divine justice and the consequences of spiritual insensitivity. The "works of the LORD" refer not only to creation but also to His intervention in human affairs, including the execution of justice and righteousness. To "not regard" these works is to demonstrate a profound spiritual deafness and intellectual obstinacy, reflecting a heart alienated from God. Such individuals fail to see God's hand in history, His providential care, or His righteous judgments. Their inability or unwillingness to discern divine agency leads to a rejection of His authority. The result is a reciprocal action from God: because they tear down His perceived authority by ignoring Him, He will tear down their very existence or stability. The judgment of "destroy them and not build them up" is a complete reversal of divine blessing, representing utter devastation and the absence of any hope for future restoration or prosperity, echoing the fate of those upon whom God's wrath irrevocably falls. It highlights the principle that ignoring divine revelation inevitably leads to divine judgment.