Psalm 28

So many aspects of this song are reminiscent of the immediately previous ones.

As usual, David is sure of the Lord's steadfastness and salvation.  He is the Rock upon
which we rest, that we run to for a stronghold and for refuge.

In verse 1,  David's cry is for God to hear him and not be silent, for the opposite would be like death.
So great is the sure hope we have in Christ that to NOT have it, having known it, feels like death.  
I am reminded of Psalm 27: 8-9, where David implores the Lord to not turn his face away....to not leave him or forsake him..   A study note says this: " For one who has known the intimate fellowship of God, the loss of it is unbearable."  

In verse 3-5 he is asking God to not allow him to suffer the same fate as a sinner.  He seems to be saying that the sinner doesn't always look like one.  They speak peace in a neighborly way, but have evil in their hearts.  This reminds me of 26:9-10.  David knows that the only rescue from the fate of the sinner is to be
rescued by God, who delights in those who seek Him with their whole hearts.

David prays a very intense prayer for the wicked to be judged according to their deeds and hearts.  In my experience, the more I have have grown spiritually, the more this prayer is difficult to pray without much humility on my own part.  The closer to the Lord I come,  the more I pray and read His Word, the more aware of my own sin I become.  Every time I want to pray for God to judge another, I am convicted to ask Him to judge me also, according to the wickedness in my own heart.   That always silences me for a time to ask Him to reveal to me my own sin, let me confess it, and praise Him for accounting to me Christ's righteousness.  I am not so quick to pray so harshly for others!

David can pray this prayer in peace, though, because he continually comes before the Lord to ask for a clean heart, a right spirit, clean hands, and a pure heart.   He searches his own soul, and invites God to do the same.

And David can rejoice, because God has heard, and will hear!  Because God is his shield and strength, he is helped in the struggles of life, be it actual enemies in hot pursuit, or other, intangible foes like depression, etc.
As we trust fully in Him, we ARE truly helped.

Just this evening, I sat outside watching the dusk fall (my favorite time of day!), and praying.  I was thanking God for hearing my cries in many different trials in life.  I trusted Him,  though I couldn't always see what He was doing.  He has used many painful circumstances to bring me to  'broad places' as the Psalmist says.  And I will praise Him!

Still, I must trust Him for more.  Even as I was rejoicing this evening in all He has done, I went to tears, pleading with Him regarding issues that are current.  He has told us to bring Him the desires of our hearts, But oh how sweet it is to be able to say to Him, "I trust You, Father.  If what I think I need isn't what You know I need,  I know that it is right and good, and best for me."  He will not withhold from us what He knows we need, nor will He give us what we desire if it isn't good for us.   I can rest peacefully in this.