0. To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, for the memorial offering.
1. Be pleased, O God, to deliver me! O LORD, make haste to help me!
2. Let them be put to shame and confusion who seek my life! Let them be turned back and brought to dishonor who desire my hurt!
3. Let them be appalled because of their shame who say, "Aha, Aha!"
4. May all who seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee! May those who love thy salvation say evermore, "God is great!"
5. But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! Thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not tarry!
Footnotes:
70:1 - The psalmist cries out for help and hurries to God, emphasizing the urgency of his need. This direct plea is a reminder of the importance of seeking divine help quickly (see also Psalm 54:1 and Psalm 34:17).
70:2-3 - The prayer is a plea not only for help but also for the confusion and shame of one's enemies. The psalmist longs for God's justice to be done, revealing one aspect of his spiritual struggle against injustice (see also Psalm 35:26 and Psalm 40:14).
70:4 - The psalmist expresses his desire that those who seek God may rejoice and be glad. This fellowship among believers is essential, as it strengthens the community's faith and God's testimony among the people (see also Psalm 40:16 and Philippians 4:4).
70:5 - Self-identification as poor and needy is a humility that pleases God. Acknowledging our dependence on the Lord is fundamental to receiving His grace and provision (see also Psalm 34:6 and James 4:6).
70:5 - The psalmist reaffirms his trust in God as his helper and deliverer. This unshakable faith serves as an example for believers, encouraging total surrender to God for salvation (see also Psalm 118:14 and Psalm 54:4).
Verses related to Psalms, 70:
Psalm 70, by David, is a brief and urgent plea for divine help. Why does the psalmist ask for a quick answer from God? This concise text expresses the immediate need for help against enemies and the desire for the faithful to rejoice in God. The psalm addresses themes of trust, humility and God's readiness to save. Psalm 70 offers a model of prayer for times of acute crisis. Consider with us five biblical passages that echo the urgent cry of this succinct psalm.
Philippians 1:19-20: "For I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will result in my deliverance. I look forward to it and hope that in no way will I be embarrassed. On the contrary, with all the determination as always, Christ will also now be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death." - Paul's confidence in the midst of adversity reflects the spirit of Psalm 70.
2 Thessalonians 1:6-7: "Indeed, it is righteous of God to repay those who trouble you with tribulation, and to give relief to you who are being afflicted, and to us also. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven, with his powerful angels" - This passage about divine justice echoes the call for divine intervention in Psalm 70.
1 Peter 4:13: "But rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice with great joy." - This verse reflects the expectation of future joy in the midst of present suffering, a theme present in Psalm 70.
Revelation 22:20: "He who bears witness to these things says, 'Yes, I am coming soon!' Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!" - This urgent plea for the coming of the Lord echoes the plea for quick help in Psalm 70.
Hebrews 13:6: "Therefore we can say with confidence: 'The Lord is my helper, I will not fear. What can men do to me?'" - This declaration of trust reflects the attitude of the psalmist in Psalm 70, who looks to God for help in the face of human opposition.
FAQ:
What does the psalmist ask for in Psalm 70?
The psalmist asks God to hasten His help, delivering him from his enemies and bringing him victory, as he seeks His presence and salvation. (Psalm 70:1-5)
How does the psalmist describe his enemies in Psalm 70?
The psalmist describes his enemies as those who seek his destruction and mock his faith, but he trusts in divine intervention. (Psalm 70:2-3)
Why does the psalmist seek God's immediate help in Psalm 70?
The psalmist seeks immediate help due to the pressure and imminent danger of his enemies, crying out for God's urgent intervention. (Psalm 70:1)
How does the psalmist express hope for God's salvation?
The psalmist expresses hope, trusting that God will hear and answer his prayers, bringing deliverance and joy. (Psalm 70:4-5)
What is the psalmist's cry at the end of Psalm 70?
The psalmist calls for all who seek God to rejoice and be glad as God intervenes and brings justice. (Psalm 70:4-5)
