Job 28
Psalm 28 can be divided into two main parts. In the first half (verses 1–5), the psalmist cries out to God with a desperate heart, fearing that his intentions might not be conveyed. The psalmist earnestly prays that the wicked would be distinguished from himself, asking that God’s justice be carried out against the wicked. The second half (verses 6–9) continues with prayers of trust and gratitude for the answer, as well as a blessing for the community. The psalmist concludes the psalm by confessing that God is my strength and my shield, and by praying that God would protect and guide his people.
1verse“Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place for gold which they refine.
2verseIron is taken out of the earth, and copper is smelted out of the ore.
3verseMan sets an end to darkness, and searches out, to the furthest bound, the stones of obscurity and of thick darkness.
4verseHe breaks open a shaft away from where people live. They are forgotten by the foot. They hang far from men, they swing back and forth.
5verseAs for the earth, out of it comes bread. Underneath it is turned up as it were by fire.
6verseSapphires come from its rocks. It has dust of gold.
7verseThat path no bird of prey knows, neither has the falcon’s eye seen it.
8verseThe proud animals have not trodden it, nor has the fierce lion passed by there.
9verseHe puts his hand on the flinty rock, and he overturns the mountains by the roots.
10verseHe cuts out channels among the rocks. His eye sees every precious thing.
11verseHe binds the streams that they don’t trickle. The thing that is hidden he brings out to light.
12verse“But where will wisdom be found? Where is the place of understanding?
13verseMan doesn’t know its price, and it isn’t found in the land of the living.
14verseThe deep says, ‘It isn’t in me.’ The sea says, ‘It isn’t with me.’
15verseIt can’t be gotten for gold, neither will silver be weighed for its price.
16verseIt can’t be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.
17verseGold and glass can’t equal it, neither will it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.
18verseNo mention will be made of coral or of crystal. Yes, the price of wisdom is above rubies.
19verseThe topaz of Ethiopia will not equal it. It won’t be valued with pure gold.
20verseWhere then does wisdom come from? Where is the place of understanding?
21verseSeeing it is hidden from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the birds of the sky.
22verseDestruction and Death say, ‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.’
23verse“God understands its way, and he knows its place.
24verseFor he looks to the ends of the earth, and sees under the whole sky.
25verseHe establishes the force of the wind. Yes, he measures out the waters by measure.
26verseWhen he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder,
27versethen he saw it, and declared it. He established it, yes, and searched it out.
28verseTo man he said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom. To depart from evil is understanding.’”
Overall Meaning and Theme
Psalm 28 is both an earnest prayer offered amid personal hardship and crisis, and at the same time it contains trust and praise for God’s justice and kindness. The psalmist lays bare his situation honestly, pleading not to be confused among the wicked or judged together with them. But his attitude soon turns with a firm assurance of God’s response and gratitude; his faith expands beyond just his own problems to a longing for love, blessing, and guidance for the entire Israelite community.
Meditation Points
- When we go through difficulties, how openly do we lay our hearts before God?
- When it feels as though God is silent, in what direction should our faith move?
- We can also reflect on whether my plea is leading beyond myself into intercession for the community and our neighbors.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- Even in my everyday life, set aside time to speak honestly to God about your problems and worries.
- Let us put into practice faith that waits for God’s answer and trusts until the end.
- How about adding one more prayer of blessing for today for the community I belong to (home, faith community, and society)?
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