BLESSED THROUGH HUMBLENESS
Key verse: 1
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
The first verse of this psalm has been memorized by many servants of God so that they could have it ready for prayer at any moment, reminding them to depend on God. By memorizing this verse and praying it, we can do the same today.
This prayer for help to come quickly also asks for God’s justice: that those who unjustly plot against others should have their schemes turned back on themselves (2-3). On the other hand, David also prays for blessing, not just for himself, but for everyone who seeks the Lord. Those who seek God with a pure heart have an abundance of reasons to rejoice and be glad (4). David’s prayer is humble because he remembers that, regardless of his human achievements, he is a poor and needy sinner at heart (5). Jesus said that those who keep this humble attitude are blessed, even though their human condition may seem shaky (Mt 5:3).
This prayer is also an example of seeking the blessed order of God’s kingdom, where the humble are raised up and the proud are brought low. May each of our prayers for help also be a prayer saying “your kingdom come.”
Prayer: Father, teach me to depend on you with every breath I take. Thank you for the joy I can have when I humble myself and trust in you.
One Word: Those who seek the Lord rejoice
