Psalm 28 9

Psalm 28:9 kjv

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

Psalm 28:9 nkjv

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

Psalm 28:9 niv

Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.

Psalm 28:9 esv

Oh, save your people and bless your heritage! Be their shepherd and carry them forever.

Psalm 28:9 nlt

Save your people!
Bless Israel, your special possession.
Lead them like a shepherd,
and carry them in your arms forever.

Psalm 28 verses

Psalm 28 9 Meaning

Psalm 28:9 is a fervent prayer, transitioning from a personal petition to a comprehensive plea for God’s collective blessing and care upon His chosen people. It expresses absolute reliance on God for the ongoing salvation, prosperity, and nurturing guidance of His community, culminating in a request for eternal divine sustainment. This verse summarizes a deep desire for God's continued covenantal faithfulness towards His own.

Psalm 28 9 Context

Psalm 28 is a psalm of David, shifting from a desperate plea to an outburst of thanksgiving. Verses 1-5 constitute a lament where David cries out to God, pleading not to be silent or condemned with the wicked. He describes the wickedness of his enemies and asks God to repay them justly. In verses 6-8, there is a marked shift; David declares his confidence and praises God for hearing his voice and strengthening him. He affirms God as the strength and salvation for His anointed. Verse 9 serves as a concluding, powerful corporate petition. Having experienced personal deliverance and assurance, David expands his prayer, demonstrating solidarity with his people and requesting that the salvation and care he has received individually be extended perpetually to the entire nation, emphasizing God's role as Shepherd and Sustainer of His heritage.

Psalm 28 9 Word analysis

• Save: From the Hebrew hoshiya (הוֹשִׁיעָה), imperative form of yasha (יָשַׁע), meaning "to deliver," "to rescue," "to help," "to grant victory," or "to bring salvation." This is a deep cry for active divine intervention, not just in times of crisis, but as an ongoing reality. It implies rescue from threats, but also general well-being and security under God’s protection.
• Your people: Hebrew ʿammeḵā (עַמְּךָ), meaning "your people" or "your nation." This term underscores God's unique covenant relationship with Israel, distinguishing them as His chosen possession. It signifies intimacy and belonging, invoking the promises God made to Abraham and his descendants.
• And bless: Hebrew ûḇārēḵ (וּבָרֵךְ), imperative from barakh (בָּרַךְ), meaning "to bless," "to endue with power for prosperity," "to confer benefit," or "to favor." The request is for God to actively bestow His divine favor, bringing about prosperity, well-being, and flourishing upon His people.
• Your heritage: Hebrew naḥălāteḵā (נַחֲלָתֶךָ), meaning "your inheritance," "your possession," or "your portion." In biblical terms, this refers not only to the land God gave to Israel but also, more broadly, to Israel itself as God's treasured possession, the people He has claimed for Himself. This term parallels "Your people," emphasizing their preciousness and belonging to God.
• Be their shepherd: Hebrew ûrə‘ēm (וּרְעֵם), imperative from raʿah (רָעָה), meaning "to feed," "to graze," "to tend," or "to shepherd." This is a profound image of divine care. A shepherd provides food, water, guidance, protection, and comfort to the flock. The psalmist requests God's intimate, active, and comprehensive oversight and provision, guiding His people through life’s paths. This implies nurturing, leading, and guarding against all harms.
• And carry them: Hebrew wənaśśəʾēm (וְנַשְּׂאֵם), imperative from nasaʾ (נָשָׂא), meaning "to lift up," "to bear," "to carry," or "to support." This image speaks to God’s strength and unwavering support, particularly for those who are weak, weary, or struggling. It conveys divine patience and compassion, indicating that God will not abandon His people but will personally bear their burdens and sustain them through every challenge, even as a father carries his child.
• Forever: Hebrew ʿaḏ hāʿôlām (עַד הָעוֹלָם), meaning "until eternity," "for always," or "everlastingly." This phrase underscores the plea for God’s eternal, unending commitment and care. It expresses confidence in God's faithfulness to uphold His covenant promises and to sustain His people without limit in time, looking to a perpetual divine relationship and provision.

Psalm 28 9 Bonus section

The progression of verbs in Psalm 28:9 — save, bless, shepherd, and carry — demonstrates an escalating depth of God’s desired relationship with His people. 'Save' addresses immediate need and rescue; 'bless' encompasses flourishing; 'shepherd' speaks to daily guidance and provision; and 'carry' suggests deep, enduring, burden-bearing sustainment. This culminates in 'forever,' cementing the perpetual nature of God's covenantal faithfulness. The theological weight of this verse is immense, revealing God's active, intimate, and eternal commitment to His chosen people, a commitment that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ and His ongoing care for the Church. The terms "people" and "heritage" reiterate the unique status of God's chosen, setting them apart as His special possession and underscoring the divine responsibility towards them.

Psalm 28 9 Commentary

Psalm 28:9 acts as the triumphant summation of David's prayer, extending his personal experience of divine intervention to the entire community. It is a petition for ongoing, multifaceted covenantal care from God. The transition from individual lament to communal intercession highlights the biblical understanding of faith not merely as personal but also as deeply corporate. God is entreated to 'save,' signifying deliverance and preservation from all ills, spiritual and physical. He is asked to 'bless,' implying divine favor, prosperity, and growth in all areas of life. The plea for God to 'be their shepherd' invokes the powerful biblical imagery of God as the tender, providing, guiding, and protecting caregiver for His flock. Finally, 'carry them forever' speaks to His sustained strength and enduring presence, bearing the burdens of His people throughout all generations, implying an eternal bond and unwavering support. This verse beautifully encapsulates profound dependence on God for comprehensive and perpetual care for His beloved community.