Because they do not regard the works of the LORD or the work of his hands, he will tear them down and build them up no more.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights that the wicked's downfall stems from their disregard for God's "works" and the "operation of his hands"—their willful blindness to His power and presence in creation and providence. This deep-seated ignorance isn't just a lack of knowledge, but a rejection that leads to their irreversible destruction, contrasting sharply with God's desire to build up those who recognize Him.
Because they do not regard the works of the LORD or the work of his hands, he will tear them down and build them up no more.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Psalmist is crying out to God, pleading for protection from his enemies. He describes these enemies as wicked schemers who speak peace but harbor malice, urging God not to let him be swept away with them. Instead, he asks God to deal with them according to their evil deeds, emphasizing their complete disregard for God's actions and authority, which will lead to their utter ruin.
Ever feel like the world is chaotic, with no one in charge? This verse speaks directly to that feeling.
The Psalmist calls out a deep spiritual blindness: the refusal to see God at work. It's not just about ignoring the grand acts of creation, but also the ongoing 'operations of his hands' – God's guidance in history, His providential care, and His dealings with both the righteous and the wicked.
The Root of Rebellion
This willful ignorance isn't accidental. It’s a choice to disregard God's sovereignty. When people don't acknowledge God's work, they lose their fear of Him and their understanding of justice. They might even believe they can get away with anything.
Consequences of Neglect
This disregard leads to a specific outcome: God's judgment. Instead of building them up, God will 'tear them down.' It's a stark warning that ignoring the Architect of the universe has eternal consequences.
What does it mean for God to 'destroy and not build up'? It’s a finality that should make us pause.
The consequence for disregarding God is profound: utter destruction. The phrase 'destroy them and not build them up' signifies a complete undoing, a state from which there is no recovery.
A Divine Verdict
This isn't just about temporary setbacks. It speaks to a judgment where God’s actions lead to irreversible ruin for those who reject Him. Unlike the consistent building and upholding work God does for His faithful people, His judgment on the unrepentant results in a demolition from which they cannot rebuild their lives or standing.
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The Ultimate Outcome
This finality is a powerful reminder of the seriousness of spurning God's authority and care. It’s the opposite of His creative and redemptive purpose, highlighting the critical importance of acknowledging Him in all things.
This verse speaks to the deep spiritual blindness of those who reject God's evident power and plan, particularly in the context of King David's life. His enemies, often outwardly charming but inwardly malicious, refused to acknowledge God's hand in his anointing and victories, ultimately leading to their own destruction rather than the building up of God's kingdom through them.
c. 1050 BC
Saul Anointed King of Israel
Samuel anoints Saul as the first king of Israel, marking a significant shift in Israel's political and religious landscape. This event is a key part of David's personal history and the context of the Psalms.
c. 1040 BC
David Anointed King
Samuel, following God's direction, anoints the young David as king, though Saul still reigns. This sets the stage for David's future kingship and his subsequent conflicts.
c. 1020 BC
David's Flight from Saul
After a period of rising tension and David's success against Goliath, King Saul becomes intensely jealous and attempts to kill David. David is forced to flee and live as a fugitive.
c. 1010 BC
David Becomes King of Judah
Following Saul's death, David is crowned king over the tribe of Judah. He continues to face opposition from those loyal to Saul's house.
c. 1003 BC
David Becomes King of All Israel
David unites all the tribes of Israel under his rule, establishing Jerusalem as his capital. This period involves consolidating power and dealing with internal and external threats.
c. 970 BC— this verse
Reign of David as King
David reigns for 40 years, during which he faces numerous challenges from enemies and internal strife. His reign is marked by both great faith and significant sin, and he writes many Psalms reflecting these experiences.
This passage echoes the same theme, describing people who are 'indifferent to the fate of Joseph' and ignore God's works, leading to their downfall. It highlights the root issue of disregarding God's actions.
Jeremiah 1:10This verse showcases God's power to 'overthrow and build up,' directly paralleling the consequence described in Psalms 28:5 for those who disregard Him.
Romans 1:20This New Testament passage explains that God's 'eternal power and divine nature' are clearly seen in creation, but humanity's failure to acknowledge this leads to their foolishness, mirroring the willful ignorance found in Psalms 28:5.
Jeremiah 24:6This verse uses the contrasting imagery of God 'building up' and 'not pulling down' (or destroying) good people, and conversely, 'pulling down' (or destroying) and 'not building up' bad people, directly aligning with the judgment described in Psalms 28:5.
calvinPsalms 28:3-5: "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."
- Draw me not away with wicked men, nor with the workers of iniquity, who speak peace to their neighbors, while malice is in their hearts. 4. Give them according to their works, and according to the wickedness of their doings; give them according to the work of their hands; render them their reward. 5. Because they regard not the doings of…
cambridgePsalms 28:5: "Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up."
5 . Atheists in practice if not in profession, they deny that Jehovah governs the world, and refuse to discern His working in creation, in providence, and in judgement. Unbelief lies at the root of all their sin. The works of the Lord and the operation of his hands stand in strong contrast to their work and the operation of their hands in Psalm 28:4 . Compa…
The verse highlights that the wicked's downfall stems from their disregard for God's "works" and the "operation of his hands"—their willful blindness to His power and presence in creation and providence. This deep-seated ignorance isn't just a lack of knowledge, but a rejection that leads to their irreversible destruction, contrasting sharply with God's desire to build up those who recognize Him.
The Psalmist is crying out to God, pleading for protection from his enemies. He describes these enemies as wicked schemers who speak peace but harbor malice, urging God not to let him be swept away with them. Instead, he asks God to deal with them according to their evil deeds, emphasizing their complete disregard for God's actions and authority, which will lead to their utter ruin.
The Psalmist is crying out to God, pleading for protection from his enemies. He describes these enemies as wicked schemers who speak peace but harbor malice, urging God not to let him be swept away with them. Instead, he asks God to deal with them according to their evil deeds, emphasizing their complete disregard for God's actions and authority, which will lead to their utter ruin.
"Because they do not regard the works of the LORD or the work of his hands, he will tear them down and build them up no more." — The verse highlights that the wicked's downfall stems from their disregard for God's "works" and the "operation of his hands"—their willful blindness to His power and presence in creation and provide…
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Last reviewed October 2026