The ungodly must learn to see God’s hand in every blessing.
As David reflects on those who disregard God’s activity, he says, “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.” (v.5) The speaker, David, was Israel’s second king, reigning from around 1010 BC to 970 BC, a period during which the united kingdom of Israel reached new heights in both power and prosperity. Here, David laments the stubbornness of the wicked, pointing out that their refusal to acknowledge the Lord’s handiwork will ultimately lead to their downfall. By highlighting “works of the LORD” and “deeds of His hands,” David emphasizes the active, creative involvement of God in humanity, an involvement that is meant to inspire reverence and faith.
In this passage, “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,” (v.5) the consequence is clear: those who remain blind to God’s actions position themselves for judgment. God’s tearing down symbolizes the disruption and removal of whatever prideful structures people build apart from Him. The phrase “not build them up” shows the severity of His response—the very blessings and growth that come from God’s hands are withheld from those who willfully resist and dishonor Him. This principle resonates in the New Testament as well, where Jesus teaches about the necessity of recognizing and honoring God’s kingdom rather than living in spiritual blindness (Matthew 13:14).
Furthermore, David’s words remind believers of the importance of gratitude and humble reliance on the Lord. The wicked, who do not “regard” God’s mighty works, reject the foundational reality that all life, provision, and prosperity originate from His hand (Romans 1:20). Recognizing His deeds fosters fellowship with Him, opening the door for divine favor and growth rather than tearing down. By contrast, ignoring His works blinds one to the sustaining power of God’s grace and invites the destructive force of sin.
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Psalms 28:5 meaning
As David reflects on those who disregard God’s activity, he says, “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.” (v.5) The speaker, David, was Israel’s second king, reigning from around 1010 BC to 970 BC, a period during which the united kingdom of Israel reached new heights in both power and prosperity. Here, David laments the stubbornness of the wicked, pointing out that their refusal to acknowledge the Lord’s handiwork will ultimately lead to their downfall. By highlighting “works of the LORD” and “deeds of His hands,” David emphasizes the active, creative involvement of God in humanity, an involvement that is meant to inspire reverence and faith.
In this passage, “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,” (v.5) the consequence is clear: those who remain blind to God’s actions position themselves for judgment. God’s tearing down symbolizes the disruption and removal of whatever prideful structures people build apart from Him. The phrase “not build them up” shows the severity of His response—the very blessings and growth that come from God’s hands are withheld from those who willfully resist and dishonor Him. This principle resonates in the New Testament as well, where Jesus teaches about the necessity of recognizing and honoring God’s kingdom rather than living in spiritual blindness (Matthew 13:14).
Furthermore, David’s words remind believers of the importance of gratitude and humble reliance on the Lord. The wicked, who do not “regard” God’s mighty works, reject the foundational reality that all life, provision, and prosperity originate from His hand (Romans 1:20). Recognizing His deeds fosters fellowship with Him, opening the door for divine favor and growth rather than tearing down. By contrast, ignoring His works blinds one to the sustaining power of God’s grace and invites the destructive force of sin.