Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O Lord.
Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt.
Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha.
Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.
But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O Lord, make no tarrying.
Psalms 70 is a heartfelt cry for help, a desperate appeal to God in the face of relentless enemies. This short but powerful psalm echoes the urgent need for divine intervention and offers a glimpse into David’s unwavering faith even amidst adversity. Understanding the context and the nuances of this psalm allows us to draw strength and encouragement for our own lives.
Context: A Familiar Refrain
Psalms 70 is strikingly similar to Psalms 40:13-17. The resemblance suggests that this passage may have been extracted from the longer psalm and used independently, eventually becoming recognized as its own distinct psalm. Both psalms share the same plea for deliverance and the same expression of trust in God. Like Psalms 3, 38, 59 and 140, Psalms 70 is one of several psalms where David asks God to deliver him from his enemies. While the specific circumstances surrounding the composition of Psalms 70 remain unknown, it is clear that David faced imminent danger and sought God's immediate assistance.
A Desperate Plea for Help (Psalms 70:1-3)
David begins with an urgent cry: "Be pleased, O God, to deliver me! O Lord, make haste to help me!" (Psalms 70:1). The use of "Elohim" (God) emphasizes God's power and authority. David doesn't just ask for help; he implores God to act quickly. This urgency reflects the direness of his situation. He is surrounded by enemies who seek his life, and he knows that only God can rescue him.
He then turns his attention to his adversaries, praying that they would be "ashamed and confounded" (Psalms 70:2). He desires that those who seek his harm would be turned back and humiliated. The phrase "Aha, Aha!" (Psalms 70:3) captures the mocking and sneering of his enemies. David prays that their malicious intent would be thwarted and that they would be filled with shame when their plans fail. This desire for the downfall of his enemies aligns Psalms 70 with the "imprecatory" psalms, where the psalmist calls upon God to judge the wicked. God is sovereign and fully capable of turning malice directed towards you back onto your adversary.
Focus on God's Glory and the Edification of the Saints (Psalms 70:4)
Even in the midst of his personal crisis, David's focus extends beyond himself. He desires that all who seek God and love His salvation would "magnify" Him. "Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; And let those who love Your salvation say continually, “Let God be magnified!”" (Psalms 70:4). David understands that his deliverance is not just for his own benefit but also for the glory of God and the encouragement of other believers. He wants others to witness God's faithfulness and to join him in praising His name. Those who know and have experienced the greatness of God should declare, God is great!
Humility and Continued Dependence (Psalms 70:5)
David concludes with another urgent plea, acknowledging his own weakness and need for God's help: "But I am poor and needy; Make haste to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay" (Psalms 70:5). He recognizes his dependence on God as his only source of deliverance. He is "poor and needy," having nowhere else to turn but to the Lord. This humble admission underscores the importance of relying on God's grace and mercy, especially in times of distress.
Enduring Faith in Times of Trouble
Psalms 70, though brief, is a powerful reminder of the importance of prayer, faith, and humility in the face of adversity. David's urgent cry for help, his desire for God's glory, and his humble dependence on God offer a model for how we can approach God in our own times of trouble. Like David, we can trust that God hears our prayers and will deliver us according to His perfect will. Let us also remember to praise God and encourage others to do the same, so that God's name may be magnified among all people. David has no plans to let hardship dampen his faith. He thanks God for mercifully caring for him. David has nowhere else to turn so he once again asks God to bring relief quickly.
Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O Lord.
Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt.
Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha.
Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.
But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O Lord, make no tarrying.
Psalms 70 is a heartfelt cry for help, a desperate appeal to God in the face of relentless enemies. This short but powerful psalm echoes the urgent need for divine intervention and offers a glimpse into David’s unwavering faith even amidst adversity. Understanding the context and the nuances of this psalm allows us to draw strength and encouragement for our own lives.
Context: A Familiar Refrain
Psalms 70 is strikingly similar to Psalms 40:13-17. The resemblance suggests that this passage may have been extracted from the longer psalm and used independently, eventually becoming recognized as its own distinct psalm. Both psalms share the same plea for deliverance and the same expression of trust in God. Like Psalms 3, 38, 59 and 140, Psalms 70 is one of several psalms where David asks God to deliver him from his enemies. While the specific circumstances surrounding the composition of Psalms 70 remain unknown, it is clear that David faced imminent danger and sought God's immediate assistance.
A Desperate Plea for Help (Psalms 70:1-3)
David begins with an urgent cry: "Be pleased, O God, to deliver me! O Lord, make haste to help me!" (Psalms 70:1). The use of "Elohim" (God) emphasizes God's power and authority. David doesn't just ask for help; he implores God to act quickly. This urgency reflects the direness of his situation. He is surrounded by enemies who seek his life, and he knows that only God can rescue him.
He then turns his attention to his adversaries, praying that they would be "ashamed and confounded" (Psalms 70:2). He desires that those who seek his harm would be turned back and humiliated. The phrase "Aha, Aha!" (Psalms 70:3) captures the mocking and sneering of his enemies. David prays that their malicious intent would be thwarted and that they would be filled with shame when their plans fail. This desire for the downfall of his enemies aligns Psalms 70 with the "imprecatory" psalms, where the psalmist calls upon God to judge the wicked. God is sovereign and fully capable of turning malice directed towards you back onto your adversary.
Focus on God's Glory and the Edification of the Saints (Psalms 70:4)
Even in the midst of his personal crisis, David's focus extends beyond himself. He desires that all who seek God and love His salvation would "magnify" Him. "Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; And let those who love Your salvation say continually, “Let God be magnified!”" (Psalms 70:4). David understands that his deliverance is not just for his own benefit but also for the glory of God and the encouragement of other believers. He wants others to witness God's faithfulness and to join him in praising His name. Those who know and have experienced the greatness of God should declare, God is great!
Humility and Continued Dependence (Psalms 70:5)
David concludes with another urgent plea, acknowledging his own weakness and need for God's help: "But I am poor and needy; Make haste to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay" (Psalms 70:5). He recognizes his dependence on God as his only source of deliverance. He is "poor and needy," having nowhere else to turn but to the Lord. This humble admission underscores the importance of relying on God's grace and mercy, especially in times of distress.
Enduring Faith in Times of Trouble
Psalms 70, though brief, is a powerful reminder of the importance of prayer, faith, and humility in the face of adversity. David's urgent cry for help, his desire for God's glory, and his humble dependence on God offer a model for how we can approach God in our own times of trouble. Like David, we can trust that God hears our prayers and will deliver us according to His perfect will. Let us also remember to praise God and encourage others to do the same, so that God's name may be magnified among all people. David has no plans to let hardship dampen his faith. He thanks God for mercifully caring for him. David has nowhere else to turn so he once again asks God to bring relief quickly.