The Lord Will

Psalms

Psalm 70

KJV

1

Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O Lord.

2

Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt.

3

Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha.

4

Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.

5

But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O Lord, make no tarrying.

Overview

Psalm 70 compresses lament into five urgent verses. The speaker asks God to hurry, prays that malicious plans fail, turns attention toward the joy of those who seek God, and closes by naming personal need and dependence on God as help and deliverer.

Setting and context

Psalm 70 closely parallels Psalm 40:13–17 and functions as a short independent plea. Its language of shame against opponents belongs to prayer for the defeat of harmful intent; it is not permission to humiliate, harass, retaliate against, or harm modern adversaries.

Themes

Urgent prayer · Deliverance · Frustrated harmful intent · Joy in seeking God · Human need · Dependence on God

Reflection

Pray plainly when help is urgent; combine prayer with prudent practical action; ask for harmful plans to fail without pursuing revenge; keep worship larger than fixation on opponents; and admit need without treating delay as proof that God has abandoned you.

Reading notes

The psalm entrusts the frustration of harmful intent to God and does not authorize private retaliation, harassment, vigilantism, or violence. The psalm expresses urgency; it does not establish a guaranteed timetable for deliverance.

Key passages

Psalm 70:1: The psalm begins with a direct appeal for immediate divine help. Bring urgent need to God while using appropriate practical support. Psalm 70:2: The speaker asks that those seeking his life be frustrated and put to shame. Pray for harmful intentions to fail rather than retaliating. Psalm 70:4: Those who seek God are invited to rejoice and magnify him. Let worship redirect attention beyond conflict. Psalm 70:5: The speaker names poverty and need and calls God help and deliverer. Admit dependence without shame and seek help promptly.

Questions readers ask

What is the main message of Psalm 70? Bring urgent need to God, ask for harmful plans to fail without taking revenge, rejoice in seeking God, and admit dependence on him as help and deliverer. Does Psalm 70 promise immediate rescue? No. Its repeated urgency models honest prayer but does not give a guaranteed timetable.