What does Psalm 28:5 mean?
It seems David is addressing the congregation when he cites a reason the Lord should judge the wicked hypocrites. He refers to those who ignore God's influence—the evidence of His miraculous intervention in the world. Israel's long history from Abraham to David is replete with wonders the Lord performed on behalf of His people. How could anyone reject the witness He gave at the Red Sea or on Mount Carmel? Yet, the unbelievers in Israel ignored the Lord's mighty works.Then, as today, disbelief in God requires a person to reject what they can observe in nature. Natural revelation declares the existence of God and such divine characteristics as His mighty power, His benevolence, His wisdom, and His providence. By rejecting natural revelation, the unbelieving hypocrites in Israel resembled the heathen, whom Paul wrote about in Romans 1:20–21. The heathen had clear evidence of God's invisible attributes and were therefore without excuse.
Psalm 28:1–5 begins with David's plea for help and a request to be spared from the fate of evildoers. Other psalms indicated David's intent to avoid sin and the consequences it brings (Psalm 26:4–5). He knows the wicked are bound for eternal destruction and asks God to repay them for their evil deeds and rejection of holiness.
David prays for God to hear him, noting the distinction between himself and those who wickedly reject God. Because he honors the Lord, David expects to be spared from the fate of evil people. Prior experience has made David confident in God's protection, a theme which he encourages all God's people to embrace.