Psalms — Chapter 70

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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.

1[Make haste], O God, to deliver me; Make haste to help me, O Jehovah.

2Let them be put to shame and confounded That seek after my soul: Let them be turned backward and brought to dishonor That delight in my hurt.

3Let them be turned back by reason 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 Jehovah, make no tarrying. Psalm 71

1For the music director, by David; written to get God’s attention. O God, please be willing to rescue me. O Lord, hurry and help me.

2May those who are trying to take my life be embarrassed and ashamed. May those who want to harm me be turned back and ashamed.

3May those who say, “Aha! Aha!” be driven back and disgraced.

4May all those who seek you be happy and rejoice in you. May those who love to experience your deliverance say continually, “May God be praised!”

5I am oppressed and needy. O God, hurry to me. You are my helper and my deliverer. O Lord, do not delay.

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

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

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

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

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

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Videos
Reflection

Summary

A brief urgent lament (parallel to Psalm 40:13-17) — David pleads 'Make haste, O God, to deliver me'; let the seekers of his life be shamed, but let all who seek God rejoice.

Authorship & Background

Author: Multiple authors — primarily David (73 psalms attributed), plus Asaph (12), Sons of Korah (11), Solomon (2), Moses (1), Heman (1), Ethan (1), and anonymous. The Psalter was compiled over approximately 1000 years and served as Israel's hymnal and prayer book. The book is divided into five 'books' (1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150), paralleling the five books of Moses. Key themes: worship, lament, praise, trust, kingship, creation, wisdom, Messianic prophecy, and the full range of human emotion brought before God.
Classification: Individual Lament Psalm Attributed Author: David Key Themes: Urgency of prayer, pleading for speed, shame on enemies, joy for God-seekers, poverty and neediness before God
Historical Context: Psalm 70 is nearly identical to Psalm 40:13-17 and appears to be extracted from that longer psalm for independent liturgical use. The superscription says "to bring to remembrance" (lehazkir), suggesting it was used to call God's attention to the psalmist's situation — possibly accompanying a memorial offering (Leviticus 2:2). The psalm is only 5 verses but captures the essence of urgent prayer. David is in immediate danger and has no time for lengthy meditation — he needs God NOW. It serves as a model for crisis prayer: brief, direct, honest, and God-centered despite personal desperation. It closes Book II of the Psalter alongside Psalm 72.
Structure:
  • Urgent Cry for Help (v.1)
  • Imprecation Against Enemies (vv.2-3)
  • Joy for God-Seekers (v.4)
  • Final Plea from Poverty (v.5)

Map & Geography

  • No specific geographic locations are referenced in this chapter.

Videos

The Bible Project — Psalms Overview

Reflection

  • 1. Urgent prayer needs no formality (v.1). When the house is on fire, you don't compose a letter — you shout. God receives raw, urgent, unpolished cries as readily as formal petitions. "Make haste" is a complete prayer.
  • 2. Acknowledging poverty before God is the position of strength (v.5). "I am poor and needy." This is not self-pity but spiritual accuracy. The one who knows their emptiness is positioned to receive God's fullness. Self-sufficiency is the real poverty.
  • 3. Even in personal crisis, pray for the community (v.4). David is desperate, yet he lifts his eyes to "all those that seek thee." Personal urgency need not produce selfishness. Even your emergency prayers can include others.
  • 4. "Make no tarrying" is a valid prayer (v.5). It is not irreverent to ask God to hurry. It is faith expressing dependence. You can pray with both trust in God's timing and honest acknowledgment of your need for speed.