Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert.

PSALMS 28:4KJV
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Psalms 28:4 (KJV)

What does Psalms 28:4 mean?

Psalms 28:4 is a prayer asking God to repay people according to their actions, specifically calling for those who do wrong to receive consequences that match their deeds. The verse emphasizes a desire for justice, asking God to give each person what they truly deserve based on their behavior.

In this psalm, David is speaking to God, expressing frustration with those who act wickedly and cause harm. David asks God not to let the wicked escape the results of their actions, but instead to let their own deeds determine their fate. This verse fits into a larger plea for God to intervene and uphold fairness, especially when evil seems to go unpunished.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 28:4

  • "Give" (נָתַן, natan, H5414) appears twice in this verse, highlighting the request for God to actively hand out consequences, not just passively allow them.
  • "Deeds" (פֹּעַל, po'al, H6467) and "work" (מַעֲשֶׂה, ma'aseh, H4639) both refer to actions, but "deeds" often emphasizes the outcome or product, while "work" points to the effort or process itself.
  • "Wickedness" (רָעָה, ra'ah, H7455) and "endeavours" (מַעֲלָל, ma'alal, H4611) together stress not just bad actions, but the harmful intentions and schemes behind them.
  • "Render" (שׁוּב, shuv, H7725) means "to return" or "bring back," suggesting the idea of consequences coming full circle.
  • "Desert" (גְּמוּל, gemul, H1576) means "what is deserved" or "recompense," underlining the fairness of the request.

Why Psalms 28:4 matters

  • This verse clarifies that David is not asking for blind punishment, but for a just response that matches each person's actions—good or bad.
  • The verse highlights the biblical idea that actions have consequences, and that God is attentive to both the deeds and motives of people.
  • In the context of the psalm, this request for justice is part of David's larger trust in God to make things right, especially when human justice fails.

Where else these words appear

“desert” Hebrew H1576 · used in 17 verses

  • Judges 9:16 Now therefore, if ye have done truly and sincerely, in that ye have made Abimelech king, and if ye have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands;
  • Proverbs 12:14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.
  • Isaiah 66:6 A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompence to his enemies.

“wickedness” Hebrew H7455 · used in 19 verses

  • Genesis 41:19 And, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill favoured and leanfleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness:
  • Jeremiah 4:4 Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.
  • Jeremiah 24:8 And as the evil figs, which cannot be eaten, they are so evil; surely thus saith the LORD, So will I give Zedekiah the king of Judah, and his princes, and the residue of Jerusalem, that remain in this land, and them that dwell in the land of Egypt:

“deeds” Hebrew H6467 · used in 38 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
  • Psalms 44:1 To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, Maschil. We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.
  • Proverbs 24:12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?

“endeavours” Hebrew H4611 · used in 41 verses

  • Deuteronomy 28:20 The LORD shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me.
  • Jeremiah 4:18 Thy way and thy doings have procured these things unto thee; this is thy wickedness, because it is bitter, because it reacheth unto thine heart.
  • Jeremiah 32:19 Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings: