Psalm 70:5 - Printer Friendly

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

NIV: But as for me, I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; Lord, do not delay.

NASB: But I am afflicted and needy; Hurry to me, God! You are my help and my savior; Lord, do not delay.

CSB: I am oppressed and needy; hurry to me, God. You are my help and my deliverer; Lord, do not delay.

NLT: But as for me, I am poor and needy; please hurry to my aid, O God. You are my helper and my savior; O Lord, do not delay.

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

NKJV: But I am poor and needy; Make haste to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay.

Psalm 70:4–5 is nearly identical to what David wrote in Psalm 40:16–17. Though he is persecuted, David finds a reason to rejoice. He calls on everyone who loves God to celebrate by worshiping the Lord. David also acknowledges his limitations. He humbly asks God to rescue him, and quickly.

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 11/23/2024 3:06:19 AM