Psalms 70

Make Haste to Help the Poor and Needy

Psalm 70 moves from urgent petition for rescue, through judicial reversal against malicious enemies, toward communal joy among seekers of God, and concludes with a final poor-and-needy plea for the LORD not to delay.

World English Bible, Public Domain

David prays for God to come quickly, not because God is reluctant but because the danger is real and the servant has no other deliverer.

1 Hurry, God, to deliver me. Come quickly to help me, Yahweh.

The prayer for shame against enemies asks God to expose and reverse wicked pursuit, harmful desire, and contemptuous mockery.

2 Let them be disappointed and confounded who seek my soul. Let those who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace.

3 Let them be turned because of their shame who say, “Aha! Aha!”

The psalm refuses to let enemy hostility have the final word; God-seekers and salvation-lovers are summoned toward joy and continual praise.

4 Let all those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let those who love your salvation continually say, “Let God be exalted!”

The final line returns to the urgent need while naming God as the psalmist's help and deliverer.

5 But I am poor and needy. Come to me quickly, God. You are my help and my deliverer. Yahweh, don’t delay.

Key Terms

World English Bible (WEB): Public Domain Scripture text · License details