Psalms 28:9
Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
This verse's pastoral imagery reflects David's dual role as shepherd and king. Before ruling Israel, he shepherded his father's flocks (1 Samuel 16:11). God took him "from following the sheep" to "feed my people Israel" (2 Samuel 7:8). Ancient Near Eastern kings commonly bore the title "shepherd of the people," but David embodied this literally—he knew shepherding's demands and transferred these to royal responsibility.
The concept of Israel as God's inheritance has deep roots. God told Moses to tell Pharaoh: "Israel is my son, even my firstborn" (Exodus 4:22). After the exodus, God declared: "Ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people" (Exodus 19:5). Deuteronomy 32:9 states: "The LORD's portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance." This special relationship distinguished Israel from other nations—not because Israel was superior but because God chose to reveal Himself through them.
The prayer's structure—save, bless, feed, lift up, forever—encompasses comprehensive care: deliverance from danger (save), favor in covenant (bless), provision of needs (feed), support through difficulties (lift up), and eternal duration (forever). This reflects ancient Near Eastern vassal treaty language where suzerain promised protection, provision, and blessing to faithful vassals.
For Israel in various crises—Assyrian threat, Babylonian exile, Persian rule, Greek persecution, Roman occupation—this prayer sustained hope. When human shepherds failed (as Ezekiel 34 indicts Israel's corrupt leaders), God promised to shepherd His people directly. This hope found fulfillment in Christ who declared: "I am the good shepherd" (John 10:11).
Early church applied these promises to the new covenant community. Peter calls believers "the people of God" (1 Peter 2:10), God's inheritance. The pastoral epistles instruct church leaders to "feed the flock of God" (1 Peter 5:2), continuing the shepherding imagery. Christ, the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4), delegates pastoral care to under-shepherds while remaining ultimately responsible for His flock's welfare.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean that believers are God's 'inheritance' (His possession), and how should this shape our identity and confidence?
- How does the metaphor of God 'feeding' His people as a shepherd encompass more than physical provision, and what comprehensive care does this imply?
- In what ways does David's dual experience as literal shepherd and royal shepherd inform his prayer for God's people?
- How does Christ fulfill the roles requested in this verse—saving, blessing, feeding, and lifting up God's people forever?
- What responsibility do believers have to pray for the corporate church (God's people collectively) rather than focusing only on personal needs?
Analysis & Commentary
Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever. The psalm concludes with pastoral prayer for God's people—a fitting ending that moves from individual deliverance (v.6-7) through corporate strength (v.8) to intercession for the nation (v.9). David functions as shepherd-king, praying for his flock's welfare.
"Save thy people" (הוֹשִׁיעָה אֶת־עַמֶּךָ/hoshi'ah et-ammekha) invokes deliverance for God's covenant people. Yasha means to save, deliver, rescue. The imperative form is urgent petition: "Save!" "Thy people" (ammekha) emphasizes covenant relationship—they belong to God, are His possession. This isn't generic humanitarian concern but intercession for those in covenant relationship with Yahweh. The term "people" (am) specifically denotes covenant community, not humanity generally (goyim/nations).
"And bless thine inheritance" (וּבָרֵךְ אֶת־נַחֲלָתֶךָ/uvarekh et-nachalatekha) requests divine favor upon God's possession. Nachalah means inheritance, possession, heritage—what belongs to someone by right. God calls Israel "mine inheritance" (1 Kings 8:51-53), the people He chose as His treasured possession. Blessing (baruch) encompasses prosperity, protection, fruitfulness—comprehensive divine favor. Deuteronomy 28 details covenant blessings: agricultural abundance, military victory, societal flourishing. David asks God to fulfill covenant promises to His chosen people.
"Feed them also" (וּרְעֵם/ur'em) uses shepherd imagery. Ra'ah means to shepherd, tend, feed, care for—the same verb used in Psalm 23:1 ("The LORD is my shepherd"). This connects divine provision with pastoral care. God doesn't merely provide resources but tends personally like a shepherd caring for sheep. Ezekiel 34:11-16 portrays God as shepherd who seeks lost sheep, binds up injured, strengthens sick.
"And lift them up" (וְנַשְּׂאֵם/venasse'em) requests divine exaltation. Nasa means to lift, carry, bear up, exalt. This could mean:
All meanings fit contextually. God both carries His people through difficulties and exalts them to honor.
"For ever" (עַד־הָעוֹלָם/ad-ha'olam) extends the petition eternally. Olam means perpetuity, eternity, everlasting duration. David doesn't request temporary blessing but permanent divine care. This anticipates New Covenant promises: "I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish" (John 10:28). God's care for His people isn't temporary but everlasting.