Psalm 71:12
New International Version
Do not be far from me, my God; come quickly, God, to help me.

New Living Translation
O God, don’t stay away. My God, please hurry to help me.

English Standard Version
O God, be not far from me; O my God, make haste to help me!

Berean Standard Bible
Be not far from me, O God. Hurry, O my God, to help me.

King James Bible
O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.

New King James Version
O God, do not be far from me; O my God, make haste to help me!

New American Standard Bible
God, do not be far from me; My God, hurry to my aid!

NASB 1995
O God, do not be far from me; O my God, hasten to my help!

NASB 1977
O God, do not be far from me; O my God, hasten to my help!

Legacy Standard Bible
O God, do not be far from me; O my God, hasten to my help!

Amplified Bible
O God, do not be far from me; O my God, come quickly to help me!

Christian Standard Bible
God, do not be far from me; my God, hurry to help me.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
God, do not be far from me; my God, hurry to help me.

American Standard Version
O God, be not far from me; O my God, make haste to help me.

Contemporary English Version
Come closer, God! Please hurry and help.

English Revised Version
O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste to help me.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
O God, do not be so distant from me. O my God, come quickly to help me.

Good News Translation
Don't stay so far away, O God; my God, hurry to my aid!

International Standard Version
God, do not be distant from me. My God, come quickly to help me.

NET Bible
O God, do not remain far away from me! My God, hurry and help me!

New Heart English Bible
God, do not be far from me. My God, hurry to help me.

Webster's Bible Translation
O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
Be not far from me, O God. Hurry, O my God, to help me.

World English Bible
God, don’t be far from me. My God, hurry to help me.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
O God, do not be far from me, "" O my God, make haste for my help.

Young's Literal Translation
O God, be not far from me, O my God, for my help make haste.

Smith's Literal Translation
O God, thou wilt not be far off from me: my God, hasten for my help.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
O God, be not thou far from me: O my God, make haste to my help.

Catholic Public Domain Version
O God, do not be far from me. O my God, provide for my assistance.

New American Bible
God, be not far from me; my God, hasten to help me.

New Revised Standard Version
O God, do not be far from me; O my God, make haste to help me!
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
O God, be not far from me; O my God, make haste for my help.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Oh God, do not be far from me! Oh God, stay for my help!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
O God, be not far from me; O my God, make haste to help me.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
O God, go not far from me, O my God, draw nigh to my help.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
In You, O LORD, I Have Taken Refuge
11saying, “God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for there is no one to rescue him.” 12Be not far from me, O God. Hurry, O my God, to help me. 13May the accusers of my soul be ashamed and consumed; may those who seek my harm be covered with scorn and disgrace.…

Cross References
Psalm 22:19
But You, O LORD, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me.

Psalm 38:21-22
Do not forsake me, O LORD; be not far from me, O my God. / Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Savior.

Psalm 40:13
Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me; hurry, O LORD, to help me.

Psalm 70:1
For the choirmaster. Of David. To bring remembrance. Make haste, O God, to deliver me! Hurry, O LORD, to help me!

Psalm 141:1
A Psalm of David. I call upon You, O LORD; come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call to You.

Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:17
The poor and needy seek water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. I, the LORD, will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.

Isaiah 59:1
Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear.

Lamentations 3:57
You drew near when I called on You; You said, “Do not be afraid.”

Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:5-6
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” / So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

James 4:8
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

2 Timothy 4:17
But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles would hear it. So I was delivered from the mouth of the lion.

Philippians 4:5
Let your gentleness be apparent to all. The Lord is near.

Matthew 28:20
and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”


Treasury of Scripture

O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.

O God

Psalm 22:11,19
Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help…

Psalm 35:22
This thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me.

Psalm 38:21,22
Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me…

make

Psalm 70:1,2
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance. Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O LORD…

Psalm 143:7
Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.

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Far Haste Hasten Help Hurry Quickly
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Far Haste Hasten Help Hurry Quickly
Psalm 71
1. David, in confidence of faith, and experience of God's favor, prays both for himself,
10. and against the enemies of his soul
14. He promises constancy
17. He prays for perseverance
19. He praises God, and promises to do it cheerfully














Be not far from me, O God.
This plea reflects a deep sense of urgency and dependency on God's presence. The psalmist's request for God not to be distant echoes the covenant relationship between God and His people, where God promises to be with them (Deuteronomy 31:6). The phrase also resonates with the cry of Jesus on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46), highlighting the human experience of feeling abandoned yet reaching out in faith. The psalmist's appeal is rooted in the understanding that God's proximity brings protection and comfort, a theme prevalent throughout the Psalms (Psalm 23:4).

Hurry, O my God, to help me.
The urgency in this request underscores the psalmist's dire situation and immediate need for divine intervention. This reflects the cultural context of the ancient Near East, where calling upon a deity for swift assistance was common in times of distress. The plea for God to "hurry" indicates a trust in God's ability to act quickly and decisively. This mirrors other biblical instances where God responds promptly to the cries of His people, such as in the deliverance of Israel from Egypt (Exodus 14:13-14). The phrase also points to the messianic hope found in Jesus Christ, who is seen as the ultimate helper and deliverer, fulfilling the promises of salvation and rescue (Hebrews 2:18).

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Psalmist
Traditionally attributed to David, the psalmist is an individual seeking God's presence and assistance in times of distress.

2. God
The central figure to whom the psalmist directs his plea, emphasizing His role as a helper and protector.

3. Enemies
Though not mentioned in this specific verse, the context of Psalm 71 includes adversaries who threaten the psalmist, prompting his urgent plea for divine intervention.
Teaching Points
The Urgency of Prayer
The psalmist's plea for God to "hurry" underscores the urgency with which we can approach God in prayer, trusting in His timely intervention.

God's Nearness
The request for God not to be far away reflects a deep understanding of God's omnipresence and His willingness to be close to those who call upon Him.

Dependence on God
This verse teaches us about the importance of relying on God as our primary source of help and strength, especially in challenging times.

Faith in God's Response
The psalmist's confidence in God's help encourages believers to have faith that God hears and responds to our cries for assistance.

Consistency in Seeking God
Regularly seeking God's presence and help, as modeled by the psalmist, should be a consistent practice in the life of a believer.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Psalm 71:12?

2. How can we seek God's presence when feeling abandoned, as in Psalm 71:12?

3. What does Psalm 71:12 teach about God's proximity in times of trouble?

4. How does Psalm 71:12 connect with Hebrews 13:5 on God's faithfulness?

5. In what ways can we urgently call on God, following Psalm 71:12?

6. How does Psalm 71:12 inspire trust in God's timely intervention in crises?

7. How does Psalm 71:12 reflect God's presence in times of distress?

8. What historical context surrounds the writing of Psalm 71?

9. How does Psalm 71:12 align with the overall theme of divine assistance in the Psalms?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 71?

11. Why is there little historical or archaeological evidence for the divine interventions described in Psalm 71?

12. Psalm 71:20 speaks of revival from the 'depths of the earth.' How should this be understood in light of modern scientific knowledge about death and the afterlife?

13. In Psalm 71:9, why does the psalmist fear abandonment in old age if God's presence is said to be constant elsewhere in the Bible?

14. Does the contrast in Psalm 12:1-2 between a faithful few and a deceitful majority align with historical evidence of Israel's religious practices at the time?
What Does Psalm 71:12 Mean
Be not far from me, O God

“Be not far from me, O God” (Psalm 71:12a) is the psalmist’s heartfelt plea for the Lord’s immediate nearness. The words assume God’s absolute existence and covenant loyalty while still recognizing moments when His felt presence seems distant.

• Confidence in covenant closeness

Psalm 22:11 echoes the same cry: “Be not far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.” The repeated request shows how God’s people have always trusted His promise to be near (Deuteronomy 4:7).

• Refusal to accept distance as normal

– Rather than resign himself, the writer calls on the Lord who “is near to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34:18). This insistence springs from faith in God’s unchanging character, summed up in Hebrews 13:5, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

• Personal relationship, not ritual formality

– He addresses God directly—“my” God—showing intimate fellowship, much like David’s petition in Psalm 139:7-10 that no matter where he goes, the Lord’s hand will guide him.

• Expectation of literal, practical intervention

– There is no hint of doubt that the God who rules heaven can step into earthly need. The psalmist’s words take Scripture’s promises at face value and demand their fulfillment in the present crisis.


Hurry, O my God, to help me

“Hurry, O my God, to help me” (Psalm 71:12b) tightens the plea into an urgent request for action.

• Faith fuels urgency

– When the psalmist says “hurry,” he shows unwavering belief that God can act immediately, as modeled in Psalm 70:1, “Make haste, O God, to deliver me.”

• Honest expression of desperate need

– Like Psalm 40:13, “Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me; hurry, LORD, to help me,” the words admit human weakness and lean fully on divine strength.

• Alignment with God’s saving nature

Isaiah 59:1 reminds us, “Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save.” Asking God to hurry is consistent with His revealed desire to rescue His people swiftly (Luke 18:7-8).

• Confidence in personal deliverance

– The pronoun “my” underscores a covenant claim: the God who bound Himself to His people will not fail His own. The psalmist expects real-time rescue, just as Paul later experienced when “the Lord stood by me and strengthened me” (2 Timothy 4:17).


summary

Psalm 71:12 captures a believer’s bold, twofold cry: first for God’s felt nearness, then for His rapid intervention. The verse models trust that takes God’s promises literally, speaks to Him personally, and expects Him to act right now. In trouble we can echo these words with confidence, knowing the Lord is both near and ready to help.

(12, 13) These verses recall Psalm 22:11; Psalm 35:4; Psalm 35:26; Psalm 38:21-22; Psalm 40:13-14.

Verse 12. - O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help (comp. Psalm 22:19; Psalm 35:22).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Be not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

far
תִּרְחַ֣ק (tir·ḥaq)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7368: To be or become far or distant

from me,
מִמֶּ֑נִּי (mim·men·nî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

O God.
אֱ֭לֹהִים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

Hurry,
חֽוּשָׁה׃ (ḥū·šāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 2363: To hurry, to be eager with excitement, enjoyment

O my God,
אֱ֝לֹהַ֗י (’ĕ·lō·hay)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

to help me.
לְעֶזְרָ֥תִי (lə·‘ez·rā·ṯî)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5833: Help, helper, assistance


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OT Poetry: Psalm 71:12 God don't be far from me (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 71:11
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