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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.
Psalms 28:5 · World English Bible
Parallel translations
  • KJV Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, 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 5:12The harp, lyre, tambourine, and flute, with wine, are at their feasts; but they don’t respect the work of Yahweh, neither have they considered the operation of his hands.
  • Rom 1:28Even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
  • John 12:37But though he had done so many signs before them, yet they didn’t believe in him,
  • Job 34:26–27He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
  • Ps 92:4–6For you, Yahweh, have made me glad through your work. I will triumph in the works of your hands.
  • Ps 10:5His ways are prosperous at all times. He is haughty, and your laws are far from his sight. As for all his adversaries, he sneers at them.
  • 2 Sam 7:13He will build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
  • Jer 32:20–21who performed signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, even to this day, both in Israel and among other men; and made yourself a name, as it is today;
  • Rom 1:20For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse.
  • Jer 10:12–13He has made the earth by his power. he has established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding has he stretched out the heavens.
  • 1 Kgs 11:38It shall be, if you will listen to all that I command you, and will walk in my ways, and do that which is right in my eyes, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with you, and will build you a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel to you.
  • Isa 45:8Rain, you heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness. Let the earth open, that it may produce salvation, and let it cause righteousness to spring up with it. I, Yahweh, have created it.
  • Num 23:23Surely there is no enchantment with Jacob; Neither is there any divination with Israel. Now it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, ‘What has God done!’
  • Isa 22:11You also made a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the old pool. But you didn’t look to him who had done this, neither did you have respect for him who purposed it long ago.
  • Isa 40:26Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these, who brings out their army by number. He calls them all by name. by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power, Not one is lacking.
  • Isa 45:12I have made the earth, and created man on it. I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens; and I have commanded all their army.
  • Eph 1:19–21and what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might
  • Isa 45:18For Yahweh who created the heavens, the God who formed the earth and made it, who established it and didn’t create it a waste, who formed it to be inhabited says: “I am Yahweh; and there is no other.
  • Hos 14:9Who is wise, that he may understand these things? Who is prudent, that he may know them? For the ways of Yahweh are right, and the righteous walk in them; But the rebellious stumble in them.
  • Ps 19:1–2For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork.
  • 2 Sam 7:27For you, Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, have revealed to your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house.’ Therefore your servant has found in his heart to pray this prayer to you.
  • Ps 104:24Yahweh, how many are your works! In wisdom have you made them all. The earth is full of your riches.
  • Ps 111:2–4Yahweh’s works are great, pondered by all those who delight in them.
  • Jer 31:4I will build you again, and you will be built, O virgin of Israel. You will again be adorned with your tambourines, and will go out in the dances of those who make merry.
  • Isa 26:9–11With my soul I have desired you in the night. Yes, with my spirit within me will I seek you earnestly; for when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.
  • Ps 8:3When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have 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.