David
Psalm 70
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance.
Scripture (KJV)
1Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O LORD.
2Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt.
3Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha.
4Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.
5But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying.
Summary
Psalm 70 is a brief but urgent cry for help, closely parallel to the closing verses of Psalm 40. David cries, "Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O LORD." He prays that those who seek his soul would be ashamed and confounded, and that those who say "Aha, aha" would be turned back. Yet he also prays that all who seek God would rejoice and be glad, and that those who love God’s salvation would say continually, "Let God be magnified." The psalm closes with a confession of poverty and need: "But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying."
The major themes are urgent deliverance, shame of enemies, joy of seekers, and God as help and deliverer. Practically, the psalm teaches that in sudden distress, we may cry to God to make haste, and that even urgency can include praise. The great lesson is that the poor and needy have a God who is their help and deliverer.
Key Themes
A Prayer from Psalm 70
Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O LORD. Let those who seek my soul be ashamed and confounded. Let those who say "Aha, aha" be turned back. Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You, and let those who love Your salvation say continually, "Let God be magnified." I am poor and needy; make haste unto me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection Questions
- 1How does urgency and honesty mark this prayer?
- 2What does it mean to say continually, "Let God be magnified"?
- 3How does this psalm echo Psalm 40?
- 4Where do I need to cry, "Make haste, O God"?
Related Psalms
Psalm 40
“I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.”
Thanksgiving for rescue and a delight to do God’s will.
Read morePsalm 35
“Plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.”
A prayer for God to contend against unjust enemies and vindicate the righteous.
Read morePsalm 69
“Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.”
A deep lament of reproach for God’s sake, ending in hope and praise.
Read morePsalm 71
“In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.”
A lifelong trust in God from youth to old age, with hope to keep proclaiming.
Read morePsalm 109
“Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise;”
Psalm 109 is an imprecatory psalm in which David, falsely accused and repaid evil for good, brings his anguish before the God of justice.
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