The Book of Psalms

Psalm 70

Psalm LXX · Vol. II, p. 1031

David prayeth for God's speedy help and deliverance, to the confusion of his enemies, and triumph of the godly.

Margin referencesNotes ↓

To the chief musician, A psalm of David, ^ato bring to remembrance.

Vol. II, p. 1031

1 Make haste, ^bO God, to deliver me; make haste to help me,¹ O LORD.²

A.M. cir. 2983. B.C. cir. 1021.

a Ps.xxxviii. title.

b Ps.40.13-17; 18.6; 143.7; 69.18.

1 Heb. to my help.

2 This psalm is substantially identical with Ps. 40. 13-17. There are verbal differences, however, which show that it was adapted for separate use, and for some new circumstance. A similar instance of parallelism may be seen in Ps. xiv. and lii.—P.

2 Let^c them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul; let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt.

c Ps.35.4,26; 71.13; 6.10; 109.29. Is.41.11.

3 Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha!

4 Let^d all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.

d La.3.25. Ps.35.27; 40.16; 97.12. Is.65.13,14,18,19; 49.13; 24.14-16; 12.1-6; xxv. xxvi.; 61.10.

5 But^e I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying.

e Ps.40.17; 69.29; 109.22,31; 72.12-14; 102.17; 42.5,11; 143.7; 13.1-3.

Notes

Ver. 1. This psalm exemplifies the two chief principles for interpretation of the Psalms, viz. 1. Quotation and exposition in the New Testament. 2. Parallelism of sentiment between those which New Testament quotation applies to Christ and those not so quoted. The parallelism between Ps. lxix. and lxx. proves Ps. lxx. to belong to Christ; but this fact is put beyond question by its identity with Ps. 40. 13-17, which psalm is distinctly applied to Christ, He. 10. 5. C.

Reflections.—While here also I behold Jesus Christ in great abasement, poverty, and distress, denouncing just and fearful punishment on his Jewish, heathen, antichristian, and other enemies; and interceding for the joy and happiness of all people; to his Father's honour let me apply these things to my own troubled circumstances, and so, in a believing manner, bring them and the sinful causes thereof to my remembrance. Urgent trials should always awaken fervent prayers.