To bring remembrance. Make haste, O God, to deliver me! Hurry, O LORD, to help me! Hasten, O GodThe plea for God to "hasten" reflects an urgent cry for divine intervention. The Hebrew root word here is "chuwsh," which conveys a sense of speed and immediacy. This urgency is often found in the Psalms, where the psalmist seeks God's swift action in times of distress. Historically, this reflects the Israelites' reliance on God during times of national crisis or personal peril. The invocation of "O God" underscores the psalmist's recognition of God's sovereignty and power to save. to deliver me
The phrase "to deliver me" uses the Hebrew word "natsal," which means to snatch away or rescue. This term is frequently used in the Old Testament to describe God's saving acts, whether from physical danger, enemies, or spiritual peril. The psalmist's request for deliverance is a testament to their faith in God's ability to provide salvation and protection. It echoes the broader biblical narrative of God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt and other adversities. O LORD
The use of "O LORD" here is significant, as it translates to "Yahweh," the personal name of God revealed to Moses. This name signifies a covenant relationship between God and His people. By invoking Yahweh, the psalmist is appealing to the God who is faithful to His promises and who has a history of intervening on behalf of His people. It is a reminder of the intimate and personal nature of the relationship between the believer and God. come quickly
The phrase "come quickly" is a further expression of urgency, similar to "hasten." The Hebrew word "mahar" is used, which means to hurry or make haste. This reflects the psalmist's desperate need for immediate assistance, emphasizing the human experience of waiting on God's timing. It is a call for God to not delay, recognizing that divine timing is perfect, yet expressing the human desire for prompt relief. to help me
The request "to help me" uses the Hebrew word "azar," which means to aid or support. This term is often associated with God's role as a helper and sustainer. In the biblical context, God is frequently depicted as a helper to those in need, providing strength and support in times of trouble. This plea is a humble acknowledgment of human dependence on divine assistance, reinforcing the theme of trust in God's provision and care. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidTraditionally attributed as the author of this Psalm, David often cried out to God in times of distress, seeking His immediate intervention. 2. God (Elohim)The term used here emphasizes God's power and might, highlighting the psalmist's reliance on divine strength. 3. LORD (Yahweh)This name for God underscores His covenant relationship with His people, reminding us of His faithfulness and personal care. 4. The Psalmist's DistressThe context of this plea is a time of urgent need, reflecting a situation where the psalmist feels overwhelmed and in desperate need of God's intervention. Teaching Points Urgency in PrayerThe psalmist's plea for God to "hasten" and "come quickly" teaches us the importance of bringing our urgent needs to God without delay. Dependence on GodThis verse highlights our need to rely on God's strength and deliverance, recognizing that He is our ultimate source of help. God's FaithfulnessBy calling on both "God" and "LORD," the psalmist reminds us of God's power and His covenant faithfulness, encouraging us to trust in His promises. Consistency in Seeking GodThe repetition of this plea in other Psalms and scriptures shows the importance of consistently turning to God in times of trouble. Prayer as a First ResponseThe immediacy of the psalmist's prayer encourages us to make prayer our first response in times of crisis, rather than a last resort. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the urgency in David's prayer in Psalm 70:1 reflect your own approach to prayer in times of need? 2. In what ways can you cultivate a deeper dependence on God as your deliverer in daily life? 3. How does understanding God's covenant faithfulness (Yahweh) impact your trust in His response to your prayers? 4. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's swift intervention in your life. How did it strengthen your faith? 5. How can you incorporate the practice of immediate prayer into your routine, especially when faced with sudden challenges? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 40:13This verse is nearly identical to Psalm 70:1, indicating a recurring theme in David's life of seeking God's swift help. 2 Samuel 22:7David calls upon the LORD in distress, and God hears him, illustrating the personal relationship and responsiveness of God to His people. Philippians 4:6-7Encourages believers to present their requests to God with thanksgiving, promising peace that guards hearts and minds, which complements the urgency and trust in Psalm 70:1. People David, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Bring, Cause, Chief, Choirmaster, David, Deliver, Gt, Haste, Hasten, Hurry, Leader, Lt, Memorial, Memory, Music, Musician, Music-maker, O, Offering, Overseer, Petition, Pleased, Psalm, Quickly, Remember, Remembrance, Reminder, Salvation, SaveDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 70: 5420 music
8610 prayer, asking God Library Our Watchword
You will observe that in this, and in the fortieth Psalm, this holy saying is put in opposition to the ungodly speeches of persecutors. The wicked say, "Aha, aha," therefore let those who love God's salvation have a common watchword with which to silence the malicious mockeries of the ungodly; let them say, "LET GOD BE MAGNIFIED." The earnestness of the wicked should be a stimulus to the fervency of the righteous. Surely, if God's enemies do not spare blasphemy and profanity, if they are always upon …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871Pleading
We shall consider our text, then, as one of the productions of a great master in spiritual matters, and we will study it, praying all the while that God will help us to pray after the like fashion. In our text we have the soul of a successful pleader under four aspects: we view, first, the soul confessing: "I am poor and needy." You have next, the soul pleading, for he makes a plea out of his poor condition, and adds, "Make haste unto me, O God!" You see, thirdly, a soul in it's urgency, for he cries, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871 Letter xii (A. D. 1127) to Louis, King of France
To Louis, King of France [12] The monks of Cîteaux take the liberty to address grave reproaches to King Louis for his hostility to and injuries inflicted upon the Bishop of Paris, and declare that they will bring the cause before the Pope if the King does not desist. To LOUIS, the glorious King of France, Stephen, Abbot of Cîteaux, and the whole assembly of the abbots and brethren of Cîteaux, wish health, prosperity, and peace in Christ Jesus. 1. The King of heaven and earth has …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux Whether a Man May Merit Restoration after a Fall?
Objection 1: It would seem that anyone may merit for himself restoration after a fall. For what a man may justly ask of God, he may justly merit. Now nothing may more justly be besought of God than to be restored after a fall, as Augustine says [*Cf. Ennar. i super Ps. lxx.], according to Ps. 70:9: "When my strength shall fail, do not Thou forsake me." Hence a man may merit to be restored after a fall. Objection 2: Further, a man's works benefit himself more than another. Now a man may, to some extent, …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Question Lxxxiii of Prayer
I. Is Prayer an Act of the Appetitive Powers? Cardinal Cajetan, On Prayer based on Friendship II. Is it Fitting to Pray? Cardinal Cajetan, On Prayer as a True Cause S. Augustine, On the Sermon on the Mount, II. iii. 14 " On the Gift of Perseverance, vii. 15 III. Is Prayer an Act of the Virtue of Religion? Cardinal Cajetan, On the Humility of Prayer S. Augustine, On Psalm cii. 10 " Of the Gift of Perseverance, xvi. 39 IV. Ought We to Pray to God Alone? S. Augustine, Sermon, cxxvii. 2 V. …
St. Thomas Aquinas—On Prayer and The Contemplative Life Letter xvi to Rainald, Abbot of Foigny
To Rainald, Abbot of Foigny Bernard declares to him how little he loves praise; that the yoke of Christ is light; that he declines the name of father, and is content with that of brother. 1. In the first place, do not wonder if titles of honour affright me, when I feel myself so unworthy of the honours themselves; and if it is fitting that you should give them to me, it is not expedient for me to accept them. For if you think that you ought to observe that saying, In honour preferring one another …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 70:1 NIVPsalm 70:1 NLTPsalm 70:1 ESVPsalm 70:1 NASBPsalm 70:1 KJV
Psalm 70:1 Commentaries
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