Psalm 28:2
Hear my cry for mercy when I call to You for help, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.
Hear my cry for mercy
This phrase reflects a plea for divine compassion and forgiveness. In the biblical context, mercy is a central theme, often associated with God's covenant love (hesed) for His people. The psalmist's cry for mercy echoes the prayers of many biblical figures, such as David, who frequently sought God's mercy in times of distress (e.g., Psalm 51). The concept of mercy is also foundational in the New Testament, where Jesus embodies God's mercy through His teachings and sacrificial death (e.g., Matthew 5:7).

when I call to You for help
The act of calling upon God signifies a deep reliance on Him as the ultimate source of aid and deliverance. This reflects the historical context of Israel, where God was seen as the protector and deliverer of His people, especially during times of national crisis or personal turmoil. The psalmist's call for help is reminiscent of the Israelites' cries during their bondage in Egypt, which God heard and responded to by sending Moses as their deliverer (Exodus 3:7-10).

when I lift up my hands
Lifting hands in prayer is a gesture of supplication and surrender, common in ancient Near Eastern cultures. This physical expression signifies openness and a desire to receive from God. In the Bible, lifting hands is often associated with worship and prayer (e.g., 1 Timothy 2:8). It symbolizes the psalmist's earnestness and humility before God, acknowledging His sovereignty and seeking His intervention.

toward Your holy sanctuary
The holy sanctuary refers to the temple in Jerusalem, the central place of worship for the Israelites. It was considered the dwelling place of God's presence on earth. The psalmist's orientation toward the sanctuary underscores the importance of the temple as a focal point for prayer and divine encounter. This reflects the cultural and religious significance of the temple in Jewish life. In the New Testament, Jesus is seen as the ultimate fulfillment of the temple, as He embodies God's presence among His people (John 2:19-21).

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
Traditionally attributed as the author of this psalm, David is expressing a personal plea for God's intervention and mercy.

2. God
The recipient of David's prayer, God is portrayed as the source of mercy and help.

3. Holy Sanctuary
Refers to the temple or the dwelling place of God, symbolizing His presence and holiness.
Teaching Points
The Posture of Prayer
Lifting hands is a biblical gesture of surrender and earnest prayer. It signifies openness and a desire for God's intervention.

Seeking God's Mercy
The psalm emphasizes the importance of seeking God's mercy, recognizing our dependence on His grace.

The Sanctuary as a Symbol
The holy sanctuary represents God's presence. In the New Testament context, believers are encouraged to approach God directly through Christ.

Persistent Prayer
David's cry for help teaches the value of persistence in prayer, trusting that God hears and responds.

God's Readiness to Hear
This verse reassures believers that God is attentive to our cries and ready to extend His mercy.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the act of lifting hands in prayer enhance your personal prayer life, and what does it symbolize for you?

2. In what ways can you incorporate the concept of God's holy sanctuary into your daily worship and prayer practices?

3. Reflect on a time when you sought God's mercy in a difficult situation. How did this experience shape your understanding of His grace?

4. How can the connection between Psalm 28:2 and Hebrews 4:16 encourage you to approach God with confidence in your prayers?

5. What practical steps can you take to ensure that your prayers are persistent and aligned with seeking God's will and mercy?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 141:2
This verse also speaks of lifting hands in prayer, symbolizing a gesture of supplication and worship.

1 Kings 8:28-30
Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the temple echoes the plea for God to hear prayers directed toward His holy place.

Hebrews 4:16
Encourages believers to approach God's throne of grace with confidence, seeking mercy and help in times of need.
A Cry for HelpJ. E. Scott.Psalm 28:1-7
A Supplication Metaphorically ExpressedHomilistPsalm 28:1-7
The Instincts of the HeartW. Forsyth, M. A.Psalm 28:1-7
The Prayer of a Saint in DistressPsalm 28:1-7
The Seeming Silence of GodJ. Hunter, D. D.Psalm 28:1-7
The Silence of GodW. A. Gray.Psalm 28:1-7
The Silence of GodA. Warr, M. A.Psalm 28:1-7
The Silences of GodH. Allen, D. D.Psalm 28:1-7
Man's Cry and God's ResponseW. Forsyth Psalm 28:1-9
Providence and PrayerC. Clemance Psalm 28:1-9
The Oppressed Righteous KingC. Short Psalm 28:1-9
People
David, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Cry, Crying, Ear, Hands, Holiness, Holy, Lift, Lifted, Lifting, Mercy, Oracle, Petitions, Prayer, Sanctuary, Supplication, Supplications, Towards, Voice
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 28:2

     5230   beggars
     7396   Most Holy Place
     8650   hands, lifting up

Psalm 28:1-2

     8640   calling upon God

Psalm 28:1-9

     8610   prayer, asking God

Library
Exegetic.
(i) As of the De Spiritu Sancto, so of the Hexæmeron, no further account need be given here. It may, however, be noted that the Ninth Homily ends abruptly, and the latter, and apparently more important, portion of the subject is treated of at less length than the former. Jerome [472] and Cassiodorus [473] speak of nine homilies only on the creation. Socrates [474] says the Hexæmeron was completed by Gregory of Nyssa. Three orations are published among Basil's works, two on the creation
Basil—Basil: Letters and Select Works

Christ is All
MY text is so very short that you cannot forget it; and, I am quite certain, if you are Christians at all, you will be sure to agree with it. What a multitude of religions there is in this poor wicked world of ours! Men have taken it into their heads to invent various systems of religion and if you look round the world, you will see scores of different sects; but it is a great fact that, while there is a multitude of false religions, there is but one that is true. While there are many falsehoods,
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 61: 1915

The Great Privilege of those that are Born of God
"Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin." 1 John 3:9. 1. It has been frequently supposed, that the being born of God was all one with the being justified; that the new birth and justification were only different expressions, denoting the same thing: It being certain, on the one hand, that whoever is justified is also born of God; and, on the other, that whoever is born of God is also justified; yea, that both these gifts of God are given to every believer in one and the same moment. In one
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

Religion Pleasant to the Religious.
"O taste and see how gracious the Lord is; blessed is the man that trusteth in Him."--Psalm xxxiv. 8. You see by these words what love Almighty God has towards us, and what claims He has upon our love. He is the Most High, and All-Holy. He inhabiteth eternity: we are but worms compared with Him. He would not be less happy though He had never created us; He would not be less happy though we were all blotted out again from creation. But He is the God of love; He brought us all into existence,
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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