Psalms Chapter 28 verse 4 Holy Bible
Give them according to their work, and according to the wickedness of their doings: Give them after the operation of their hands; Render to them their desert.
read chapter 28 in ASV
Give them the right reward of their acts, and of their evil doings: give them punishment for the works of their hands, let them have their full reward.
read chapter 28 in BBE
Give them according to their doing, and according to the wickedness of their deeds; give them after the work of their hands, render to them their desert.
read chapter 28 in DARBY
Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert.
read chapter 28 in KJV
Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavors: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert.
read chapter 28 in WBT
Give them according to their work, and according to the wickedness of their doings. Give them according to the operation of their hands. Bring back on them what they deserve.
read chapter 28 in WEB
Give to them according to their acting, And according to the evil of their doings. According to the work of their hands give to them. Return their deed to them.
read chapter 28 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 4. - Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours. The feeling of righteous indignation, naturally implanted in us, causes us to desire the punishment of the wicked, quite apart from any wrong that they may have done to ourselves (Aristotle, 'Rhet.,' 2:1, § 3). Give them after the work of their hands: render to them their desert. Nothing satisfies our moral feelings but exact retribution - Αἴκε τάθοι τάκ ἔρεξε, δίκη η ἰθεῖα γένοιτο. David shows in both respects a moral nature uncorrupted by contact with the world of his day.
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(4) Give them according to their deeds.--The justice of the lex talionis was deeply impressed on the mind of Israel, and we need not wonder to find its enforcement made the subject of prayer. A general notice of the imprecations of the Psalms will be found in the General Introduction (VI.). Here it is enough to remark that there is no indication of personal animosity or vindictiveness. The poet, even if expressing his own feelings, was identified with devout Israel, to whom it was natural not only to expect from Jehovah the manifestation of judgment which could alone remove the conditions that were so unfavourable to the true religion, but also to pray that He would at the same time vindicate Himself and justify those faithful to Him. (Comp. for the general thought Isaiah 3:8-11.) In the actual course of God's providence, the retribution is often very accurately apportioned to the evil deed, and the Bible contains many strong instances--e.g., that of Adonibezek (Judges 1:5; Judges 1:7).
