Psalms 28:1 Meaning and Explanation
“Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist cries out to God, asking Him not to remain silent, lest despair overtake him.
The Context of Psalms 28:1
The opening of a lament psalm where the speaker begs God for attention and rescue.
What Does Psalms 28:1 Mean?
The psalmist addresses God as 'my rock,' a metaphor for stability and strength. He begins with an urgent plea, begging God to listen to his cry. The image of God's silence as a worst-case scenario frames the prayer as one born from desperation and fear.
To be like 'them that go down into the pit' means to descend into death or the grave, symbolizing spiritual death or complete abandonment. The psalmist's fear is that God's silence will leave him without hope, indistinguishable from those lost to death itself.
Psalms 28:1 in the Original Language
cry (קָרָא, qara) — to call out or summon; conveys both urgency and the act of invoking God's name.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 28:1
What does Psalms 28:1 mean?
The psalmist cries out to God, asking Him not to remain silent, lest despair overtake him.
What is the context of Psalms 28:1?
The opening of a lament psalm where the speaker begs God for attention and rescue.