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Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up.
Psalms 28:5 · King James Version
Parallel translations
  • WEB Because they don’t respect the works of Yahweh, nor the operation of his hands, he will break them down and not build them up.
  • BSB Since they show no regard for the works of the LORD or what His hands have done, He will tear them down and never rebuild them.
  • NKJV Because they do not regard the works of the Lord, Nor the operation of His hands, He shall destroy them And not build them up.
  • NASB Because they do not regard the works of the Lord Nor the deeds of His hands, He will tear them down and not build them up.
  • NLT They care nothing for what the Lord has done or for what his hands have made. So he will tear them down, and they will never be rebuilt!

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Quick answer

Because the wicked ignore God's works, He will tear them down and not rebuild them. It states the certain ruin of those who despise God.

Overview

Their downfall flows from a settled disregard for what God has done in creation and providence. To ignore God's works is the root of their wickedness. The verse warns that persistent contempt for God leads to irreversible judgment, underscoring the urgency of repentance.

Cross-references & the web

Cross-references · 26

  • Isa 5:12And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.
  • Rom 1:28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
  • John 12:37But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
  • Job 34:26–27He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
  • Ps 92:4–6For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.
  • Ps 10:5His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.
  • 2 Sam 7:13He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.
  • Jer 32:20–21Which hast set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, even unto this day, and in Israel, and among other men; and hast made thee a name, as at this day;
  • Rom 1:20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
  • Jer 10:12–13He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.
  • 1 Kgs 11:38And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee.
  • Isa 45:8Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it.
  • Num 23:23Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!
  • Isa 22:11Ye made also a ditch between the two walls for the water of the old pool: but ye have not looked unto the maker thereof, neither had respect unto him that fashioned it long ago.
  • Isa 40:26Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.
  • Isa 45:12I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.
  • Eph 1:19–21And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
  • Isa 45:18For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.
  • Hos 14:9Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.
  • Ps 19:1–2The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
  • 2 Sam 7:27For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee.
  • Ps 104:24O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.
  • Ps 111:2–4The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
  • Jer 31:4Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry.
  • Isa 26:9–11With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.
  • Ps 8:3When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

Themes, concepts, people & topics

Topics (1)

Resources, by level

Commentaries & study tools

  • VideoBibleProject — Psalms videosBibleProject · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.

  • VideoWatch teaching on Psalms 28:5YouTube · Lay · Free

    Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.

  • CommentaryEnduring Word — verse-by-verseDavid Guzik · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.

  • CommentaryClassic commentaries for this verseBibleHub (20+ works) · Pastoral · Free

    Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.

  • CommentaryMatthew Henry on PsalmsMatthew Henry · Pastoral · Free · evangelical

    The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).

  • ReferenceInterlinear, lexicon & Strong'sBlue Letter Bible · Seminary · Free

    Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.

Christ at the center

The Psalms are Christ's own prayer book and a gallery of his portraits — the suffering one of Psalm 22, the risen Lord of Psalm 16, the priest-king of Psalm 110, the Son to whom the nations are given.

How Psalms 28:5 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.

Original language

Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.