Psalm 70 – A Detailed Explanation

Introduction

Psalm 70 is one of the shorter psalms in the Book of Psalms, but despite its brevity, it carries a deep sense of urgency, dependence on God, and raw human emotion. It serves as a powerful prayer for deliverance, showcasing the intimacy between the psalmist and God. It is attributed to David, a man after God's own heart, who often found himself in dire situations that required divine intervention.

Text of Psalm 70 (ESV)

Make haste, O God, to deliver me!
O Lord, make haste to help me!

Let them be put to shame and confusion who seek my life!
Let them be turned back and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt!

Let them turn back because of their shame who say, “Aha, Aha!”

May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you!
May those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!”

But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God!
You are my help and my deliverer;
O Lord, do not delay!

Background and Context

Authorship

Psalm 70 is attributed to King David, one of Israel’s most prominent figures. David wrote many psalms during different seasons of his life—some of praise and others of lament. Psalm 70 belongs to the latter category. It’s nearly identical to the final section of Psalm 40:13–17, which suggests it may have been a favorite prayer David turned to repeatedly during times of trouble.

Historical Context

While the psalm doesn’t specify a particular event, it may have been written during one of David’s many periods of hardship—possibly during his flight from King Saul, or later from his son Absalom. These were moments when David’s life was in grave danger, and enemies were actively pursuing him. He had no choice but to rely solely on God.

Literary Category

Psalm 70 is a lament—a cry for help in the midst of trouble. It is categorized as an individual lament, meaning it is spoken by a single person, rather than a community. However, its themes are universal and relatable to anyone who has felt cornered, persecuted, or desperate.

Verse-by-Verse Analysis

Verse 1: "Make haste, O God, to deliver me! O Lord, make haste to help me!"

The psalm begins with a sense of urgency. David uses the phrase "make haste" twice, emphasizing his desperate need for God’s intervention. This isn’t a casual prayer; it’s an urgent cry.

“Deliver me” indicates a situation of distress or danger.
“Help me” suggests that David recognizes his own insufficiency.

Application: In times of crisis, it’s not uncommon to pray urgently. David models how we can approach God with desperation and transparency, trusting that God hears us.

Verse 2: "Let them be put to shame and confusion who seek my life! Let them be turned back and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt!"

Here David turns his focus to his enemies. He asks not for personal vengeance but for God to act on his behalf.

“Shame and confusion” are biblical expressions of divine judgment.
“Seek my life” shows that this is a life-or-death situation.
“Delight in my hurt” reveals the cruelty of his enemies.

David’s prayer is not vindictive; it reflects a desire for justice.

Application: We can pray for justice without taking matters into our own hands. David entrusts the situation to God, showing us the difference between godly lament and personal vengeance.

Verse 3: "Let them turn back because of their shame who say, 'Aha, Aha!'"

This verse captures the mockery of the enemies. The phrase “Aha, Aha” was used to express malicious joy over someone else’s misfortune.

David’s prayer is that their arrogance would be turned into shame—not because he delights in their downfall, but because such attitudes stand in opposition to God’s righteousness.

Application: Mockery and gloating over another's pain are condemned in Scripture. David reminds us that God is attentive to the ways people treat one another, especially the vulnerable.

Verse 4: "May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your salvation say evermore, 'God is great!'"

This is a pivot in the psalm—from a personal cry to a communal blessing. Despite his own suffering, David takes a moment to encourage others.

“Seek you” speaks of people who genuinely pursue a relationship with God.
“Rejoice and be glad” signifies that joy comes from knowing and trusting in God.
“Those who love your salvation” are people who treasure God’s deliverance.

Even in suffering, David wants the community of believers to worship and celebrate God’s greatness.

Application: Worship is not limited to good times. Even in distress, we can choose to honor God, encourage others, and affirm His greatness.

Verse 5: "But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay!"

David ends the psalm by restating his urgent need.

“Poor and needy” reflects not just material poverty but emotional and spiritual desperation.
“Hasten to me” and “do not delay” reiterate the urgency from verse 1.
“My help and my deliverer” shows that David sees God as his only hope.

This verse is a beautiful declaration of dependency and faith. David may be in a helpless position, but his trust is unwavering.

Application: Admitting our need isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom. Like David, we must acknowledge our dependence on God as the only source of true help and deliverance.

Themes in Psalm 70

1. Urgent Prayer

The repeated pleas for God to "make haste" set the tone. David doesn’t mince words—he’s in trouble and needs God now.

2. Righteous Vindication

David asks for his enemies to be brought to shame, but not from a place of personal vengeance. His prayer is rooted in God’s justice.

3. God as Deliverer

One of the core truths of this psalm is David’s conviction that only God can rescue him.

4. Joy Amid Trials

David doesn’t only focus on his pain. He acknowledges the joy of those who seek God and encourages their faith.

5. Human Vulnerability

By calling himself “poor and needy,” David shows that even kings are not exempt from suffering and dependence on God.

Connections to Other Scriptures

Psalm 40:13–17 – As mentioned earlier, Psalm 70 is almost identical to the closing verses of Psalm 40. The repetition might indicate this was a personal prayer David turned to frequently.
Romans 12:19 – “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” This aligns with David’s attitude of letting God handle justice.
Matthew 5:11–12 – Jesus speaks about those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake. David’s psalm echoes the same kind of suffering for faithfulness.
Luke 18:7–8 – Jesus tells a parable about the persistent widow asking for justice. Like David, her persistence reflects trust in God.

Personal Application

Pray with Urgency and Honesty
David doesn't sugarcoat his situation. When you’re in distress, it's okay to cry out to God with urgency. He welcomes our raw and real prayers.
Trust God’s Justice
When you're wronged, it's natural to want retaliation. But Psalm 70 encourages us to let God deal with those who harm us. His justice is better than ours.
Find Joy in God, Even in Hard Times
David was surrounded by enemies, yet he still celebrated the joy of seeking God. Worship doesn’t require perfect circumstances—only a heart that trusts.
Acknowledge Your Need
Admitting that you're “poor and needy” is not a sign of spiritual failure. It’s the beginning of spiritual strength. God draws near to the humble.
Repeat Your Prayers
Don’t be afraid to pray the same prayer more than once. David reused the words of Psalm 40 in Psalm 70. Persistence in prayer is a form of faith.

Theological Reflection

Psalm 70 gives us a theology of suffering and rescue. It teaches that God is not distant from our pain but actively present. While the psalm doesn’t give us all the answers as to why suffering happens, it anchors us in the truth that God is a deliverer.

It also points forward to Christ, the ultimate sufferer and deliverer. Jesus, like David, cried out in agony. But through His death and resurrection, He provides the ultimate salvation for all who seek Him.

In David’s cry, we hear an echo of Jesus’ words on the cross: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1). But also in David’s trust, we see the foreshadowing of Jesus' complete dependence on the Father.

Conclusion

Psalm 70 is a powerful, compact prayer for deliverance. Though short in length, it’s rich in emotional depth, spiritual insight, and theological truth. It reminds us that God listens to our desperate cries, that He cares about justice, and that joy is still possible in the middle of our trials.

David’s plea becomes our own:
“You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay!”

BIBLE LIBRARY777

Tuesday, April 8, 2025