Psalm 70:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Let them turn back because of their shame who say, "Aha, Aha!"

NIV: May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!" turn back because of their shame.

NASB: May those who say, 'Aha, aha!' be turned back Because of their shame.

CSB: Let those who say, "Aha, aha!" retreat because of their shame.

NLT: Let them be horrified by their shame, for they said, 'Aha! We’ve got him now!'

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

NKJV: Let them be turned back because of their shame, Who say, “Aha, aha!”

Psalm 70:1–3 closely resembles David's words in Psalm 40:13–15. This beginning is a prayer for God to rescue David and shame those who want to kill him. He asks God to thwart his enemies' plans and bring them disgrace for their evil acts and mockery.

David prays for a speedy deliverance from his enemies. He asks God to shame those who would hurt him and to frustrate their plans. David calls on the Lord to turn the mocking and hate of his enemies into their own disgrace. Even in that situation, David is confident in the Lord's salvation. Taking a position of humility, David pleads with God to hurry to him. He admits that his only hope comes from the Lord, who he once again asks to respond quickly.

This is one of several psalms asking God to deliver David from his enemies (Psalm 3; 38; 59; 140). The words here are nearly identical to a segment from another of David's psalms (Psalm 40:13–17). It's possible that a version of that refrain was used separately and eventually became considered an individual psalm. In his prayer David asks the Lord to hurry to deliver him. No specific event is associated with this song, but David experienced imminent danger many times.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 11/21/2024 4:09:32 PM