THE LORD IS MY HELP AND MY DELIVERER
Key verse: 5
NIV
Psalm 70[a](A)
For the director of music. Of David. A petition.
1 Hasten, O God, to save me;
come quickly, Lord, to help me.(B)
2 May those who want to take my life(C)
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
be turned back in disgrace.(D)
3 May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”(E)
turn back because of their shame.
4 But may all who seek you(F)
rejoice and be glad(G) in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
“The Lord is great!”(H)
Footnotes
- Psalm 70:1 In Hebrew texts 70:1-5 is numbered 70:2-6.
Cross references
- Psalm 70:1 : 70:1-5pp — Ps 40:13-17
- Psalm 70:1 : Ps 22:19; 71:12
- Psalm 70:2 : Ps 35:4
- Psalm 70:2 : Ps 6:10; 35:26; 71:13; 109:29; 129:5
- Psalm 70:3 : S Ps 35:21
- Psalm 70:4 : Ps 9:10
- Psalm 70:4 : Ps 31:6-7; 32:11; 118:24
- Psalm 70:4 : Ps 35:27
- Psalm 70:5 : Ps 86:1; 109:22
- Psalm 70:5 : Ps 141:1
- Psalm 70:5 : Ps 30:10; 33:20
- Psalm 70:5 : Ps 18:2
- Psalm 70:5 : Ps 119:60
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway
ESV
O Lord, Do Not Delay
To the choirmaster. Of David, (A)for the memorial offering.70 (B)Make haste, O God, to deliver me!
O Lord, make haste to help me!
2 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!
3 Let them turn back because of their shame
who say, “Aha, Aha!”
4 May all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you!
May those who love your salvation
say evermore, “God is great!”
5 But I am poor and needy;
(C)hasten to me, O God!
You are my help and my deliverer;
O Lord, do not delay!
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Cross references
70 (B)Make haste, O God, to deliver me!
O Lord, make haste to help me!
2 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!
3 Let them turn back because of their shame
who say, “Aha, Aha!”
4 May all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you!
May those who love your salvation
say evermore, “God is great!”
5 But I am poor and needy;
(C)hasten to me, O God!
You are my help and my deliverer;
O Lord, do not delay!
Cross references
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
We all have had days with some unexpected twists and turns. In hindsight, we had no idea the troubles those days would hold! Perhaps we received news of a loved one who has become ill or a financial need arose that is simply beyond us. In David’s case, it was his enemies who were pointing their fingers at him and yelling “Aha!” They sought his ruin and were trying to take his life. During times like these, our prayers become very short and to the point, don’t they? David writes, “Hasten, O God, to save me; come quickly, LORD, to help me.” God knows our desperation and he understands our urgency. Like David, we can lay our problems at his feet and put our trust in him. All those who seek the LORD will rejoice and be glad in him. They are the ones who will experience his greatness in wonderful and personal ways.
We make our sufferings even worse by not recognizing who we are and who God is. Notice how David admits that he is poor and needy. He understood that his resources and abilities were woefully inadequate for the problems he faced. He acknowledged that the help he needed was the help that only God could provide. The LORD was David’s help and deliverer and he is ours as well. Our God is sufficient for all our needs. Oh Lord, hear our prayers and do not delay!
Prayer: Father, our trust is in you alone.
One Word: God will help and deliver you!
