Psalms 28:3
Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts.
Original Language Analysis
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
1 of 13
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּמְשְׁכֵ֣נִי
Draw me not away
H4900
תִּמְשְׁכֵ֣נִי
Draw me not away
Strong's:
H4900
Word #:
2 of 13
to draw, used in a great variety of applications (including to sow, to sound, to prolong, to develop, to march, to remove, to delay, to be tall, etc.)
עִם
H5973
עִם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
3 of 13
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
רְשָׁעִים֮
with the wicked
H7563
רְשָׁעִים֮
with the wicked
Strong's:
H7563
Word #:
4 of 13
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
וְעִם
H5973
וְעִם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
5 of 13
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
פֹּ֪עֲלֵ֫י
and with the workers
H6466
פֹּ֪עֲלֵ֫י
and with the workers
Strong's:
H6466
Word #:
6 of 13
to do or make (systematically and habitually), especially to practise
אָ֥וֶן
of iniquity
H205
אָ֥וֶן
of iniquity
Strong's:
H205
Word #:
7 of 13
strictly nothingness; also trouble, vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol
דֹּבְרֵ֣י
which speak
H1696
דֹּבְרֵ֣י
which speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
8 of 13
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
שָׁ֭לוֹם
peace
H7965
שָׁ֭לוֹם
peace
Strong's:
H7965
Word #:
9 of 13
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
עִם
H5973
עִם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
10 of 13
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
Cross References
Psalms 55:21The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.Psalms 12:2They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.Psalms 26:9Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:Micah 3:5Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him.Psalms 62:4They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.Matthew 25:41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:Psalms 36:4He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.Psalms 7:14Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.Psalms 10:14Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless.Psalms 10:7His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.
Historical Context
Israel experienced leaders who spoke peace while plotting evil (Jer. 6:14). Such hypocrisy characterized false prophets who promised prosperity while nation rushed toward judgment. Discernment required divine revelation.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you discern between those who 'speak peace' genuinely versus hypocritically?
- What does being 'drawn away' versus 'preserved' teach about God's electing grace?
Analysis & Commentary
The prayer 'Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity' asks to be spared the wicked's fate. The description 'which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts' depicts hypocritical evil. Reformed theology sees total depravity—human hearts naturally deceive and scheme. The prayer for separation from such people reflects the doctrine of election: God distinguishes between wheat and tares, sheep and goats. Believers are preserved from sharing the wicked's judgment.