Psalm 70 is a brief but urgent plea for God’s deliverance. It expresses deep distress and a strong dependence on God’s swift intervention in times of trouble. This psalm, attributed to David, is a prayer for help, calling upon God to save the psalmist from those who seek to harm him. Its tone is both desperate and filled with faith, showing a balance between human vulnerability and trust in God’s power. 1. A Cry for Help (Verse 1): The psalm begins with an immediate plea: “Make haste, O God, to deliver me! O Lord, make haste to help me!” This urgent repetition of “make haste” emphasizes the psalmist’s deep need for God’s quick response. It shows a situation where time is of the essence, and there is a sense of desperation in seeking God’s intervention. 2. Petition Against Enemies (Verses 2-3): In these verses, the psalmist asks God to act against his enemies: “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!” The psalmist does not take revenge into his own hands but appeals to God to frustrate the plans of those who seek his downfall. He desires that those who seek to harm him would experience the same disgrace they intend for him. The request for them to be “turned back” signifies the hope that God will disrupt their schemes and reverse their attacks. Verse 3 continues the same plea for divine justice: “Let them turn back because of their shame who say, ‘Aha, Aha!’” This line references the malicious delight of enemies, mocking or gloating over the psalmist’s misfortune. The psalmist longs for God to bring shame upon them, silencing their scorn. 3. Prayer for the Righteous (Verse 4): In contrast to his prayer against enemies, the psalmist shifts focus to those who seek God. He prays for their joy and continued faith: “May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your salvation say evermore, ‘God is great!’” This part of the psalm encourages praise and thanksgiving among the faithful, emphasizing that those who love God will find joy in Him. It contrasts the distress of enemies with the joy that comes from seeking God, highlighting that faith in God brings gladness and the ability to proclaim God’s greatness continually. 4. A Final Plea for Help (Verse 5): The psalm ends with a personal plea, “But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay!” This verse reiterates the urgency of the psalmist’s need. He identifies himself as “poor and needy,” reflecting his vulnerability and dependence on God. Yet, even in this vulnerable state, the psalmist declares his confidence in God as his “help and deliverer.” The psalm ends as it began—with a fervent call for God’s immediate intervention, underscoring the deep reliance on God’s timely assistance. Key Insights: •Urgency in Prayer: Psalm 70 is marked by its urgency, with repeated calls for God to “make haste.” This reveals the psalmist’s deep sense of need for God’s swift action in times of trouble. It reflects the kind of desperation many feel when faced with overwhelming opposition or danger, reminding us that we can turn to God in our most urgent moments. •Trust in Divine Justice: The psalmist’s prayer for his enemies to be put to shame and confusion is not a personal desire for revenge but a request for God’s justice. He trusts that God will intervene to protect him and bring about the right outcome, showing confidence in God’s ability to vindicate the righteous. •Joy and Praise for the Faithful: Despite the psalm’s focus on distress, it also includes a prayer for those who seek God, asking that they experience joy and continually proclaim God’s greatness. This demonstrates a belief that even in difficult times, those who trust in God can find gladness and reason to praise Him. ...