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Psalms 71:12

Psalms 71:12 in Multiple Translations

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

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

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

O God, be not far from me; O my God, come quickly to my help.

God, please don't stay away from me. My God, hurry to help me!

Goe not farre from me, O God: my God, haste thee to helpe me.

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

God, don’t be far from me. My God, hurry to help me.

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

For he shall deliver the poor from the mighty: and the needy that had no helper.

God, do not stay far away from me; hurry to help me!

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 71:12

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Psalms 71:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB אֱ֭לֹהִים אַל תִּרְחַ֣ק מִמֶּ֑/נִּי אֱ֝לֹהַ֗/י לְ/עֶזְרָ֥תִ/י חיש/ה חֽוּשָׁ/ה
אֱ֭לֹהִים ʼĕlôhîym H430 God N-mp
אַל ʼal H408 not Part
תִּרְחַ֣ק râchaq H7368 to remove V-Qal-Juss-2ms
מִמֶּ֑/נִּי min H4480 from Prep | Suff
אֱ֝לֹהַ֗/י ʼĕlôhîym H430 God N-mp | Suff
לְ/עֶזְרָ֥תִ/י ʻezrâh H5833 help Prep | N-fs | Suff
חיש/ה chîysh H2439 to haste V-Qal-Impv-2ms | Suff
חֽוּשָׁ/ה chûwsh H2363 to hasten V-Qal-Impv-2ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 71:12

אֱ֭לֹהִים ʼĕlôhîym H430 "God" N-mp
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
אַל ʼal H408 "not" Part
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Definition: 1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference) 1a) do not, let not (with a verb) 1b) let there not be (with a verb understood) 1c) not, no (with substantive) 1d) nothing (as substantive) Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: nay, neither, [phrase] never, no, nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than. See also: Genesis 13:8; Joshua 11:6; 1 Chronicles 22:13.
תִּרְחַ֣ק râchaq H7368 "to remove" V-Qal-Juss-2ms
To remove or go far away, as in Genesis 21:16 where Hagar is sent away by Abraham. It means to create distance or separate oneself from something or someone.
Definition: v 1) to be or become far, be or become distant, be removed, go far away 1a) (Qal) to be far, be distant 1b) (Piel) to send far away, extend 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to make or exhibit distance, be gone far 1c2) to remove, put far away 2) (Niphal) loose v inf (as adv) 3) at a distance
Usage: Occurs in 56 OT verses. KJV: (a-, be, cast, drive, get, go, keep (self), put, remove, be too, (wander), withdraw) far (away, off), loose, [idiom] refrain, very, (be) a good way (off). See also: Genesis 21:16; Psalms 119:150; Psalms 22:12.
מִמֶּ֑/נִּי min H4480 "from" Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.
אֱ֝לֹהַ֗/י ʼĕlôhîym H430 "God" N-mp | Suff
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
לְ/עֶזְרָ֥תִ/י ʻezrâh H5833 "help" Prep | N-fs | Suff
This Hebrew word means 'help' or 'aid', referring to assistance or support, as seen in various Bible translations.
Definition: 1) help, succour, assistance 1a) help, succour 1b) one who helps
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: help(-ed, -er). See also: Judges 5:23; Psalms 60:13; Psalms 22:20.
חיש/ה chîysh H2439 "to haste" V-Qal-Impv-2ms | Suff
The Hebrew word for haste means to hurry or make haste, often used to encourage quick action, as seen in the KJV translation of make haste.
Definition: 1) to haste, make haste, hurry 1a) (Qal) to make haste 1b) (Hiph) 1b1) to show haste, act quickly, hasten, come quickly 1b2) to enjoy, be excited
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: make haste. See also: Psalms 71:12.
חֽוּשָׁ/ה chûwsh H2363 "to hasten" V-Qal-Impv-2ms | Suff
The Hebrew word for to hurry or be eager with excitement, often translated as to make haste. It can also mean to enjoy or feel something, conveying a sense of enthusiasm or readiness. This word is used in various contexts, including when someone is preparing for action.
Definition: 1) to haste, make haste, hurry 1a) (Qal) to make haste 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to show haste, act quickly, hasten, come quickly
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: (make) haste(-n), ready. See also: Numbers 32:17; Psalms 70:2; Psalms 22:20.

Study Notes — Psalms 71:12

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Psalms 35:22 O LORD, You have seen it; be not silent. O Lord, be not far from me.
2 Psalms 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.
3 Psalms 70:5 But I am poor and needy; hurry to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay.
4 Psalms 10:1 Why, O LORD, do You stand far off? Why do You hide in times of trouble?
5 Psalms 22:11 Be not far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.
6 Psalms 69:18 Draw near to my soul and redeem me; ransom me because of my foes.
7 Psalms 22:19 But You, O LORD, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me.
8 Psalms 70:1–2 Make haste, O God, to deliver me! Hurry, O LORD, to help me! May those who seek my life be ashamed and confounded; may those who wish me harm be repelled and humiliated.
9 Psalms 40:13 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me; hurry, O LORD, to help me.
10 Psalms 143:7 Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide Your face from me, or I will be like those who descend to the Pit.

Psalms 71:12 Summary

This verse is a cry for help from someone who feels like they are in a desperate situation and need God's immediate rescue. The author is asking God to hurry and help them, because they feel like their enemies are closing in and they need God's protection, similar to the prayer in Psalms 59:1-2. We can learn from this verse that it's okay to be honest with God about our feelings and struggles, and to cry out to Him for help, as encouraged in Psalms 55:22. By trusting in God's deliverance and rescue, we can find comfort and peace, even in the midst of difficult circumstances, as promised in Isaiah 41:10.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the context of this verse, and why is the author crying out to God?

The author is surrounded by enemies who are conspiring against him, and he feels like God has forsaken him, as stated in Psalms 71:10-11. He is crying out to God for help and rescue, similar to the cry of the Psalmist in Psalms 22:1-2.

Why does the author ask God to hurry and help him?

The author asks God to hurry and help him because he feels like his situation is urgent and he needs God's immediate intervention, as seen in Psalms 71:12. This is similar to the prayer of the Psalmist in Psalms 38:21-22, where he asks God to hurry and help him.

How can we apply this verse to our own lives when we are facing difficult circumstances?

We can apply this verse to our own lives by crying out to God for help and rescue, just like the author, and trusting that He will deliver us, as promised in Psalms 34:17-20. We can also remember that God is always with us, even when we feel like He is far away, as stated in Matthew 28:20.

What is the tone of this verse, and how can we express similar emotions to God?

The tone of this verse is one of desperation and urgency, but also of faith and trust in God's deliverance, as seen in Psalms 71:14. We can express similar emotions to God by being honest about our feelings and struggles, and seeking His help and comfort, as encouraged in Psalms 62:8.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some situations in my life where I feel like God is far away, and how can I cry out to Him for help?
  2. How can I trust God's timing and plan, even when I feel like my situation is urgent and needs immediate attention?
  3. What are some ways I can 'hurry' to God, and seek His help and rescue in my time of need?
  4. How can I remember that God is always with me, even when I feel like He is far away, and how can I apply this truth to my daily life?

Gill's Exposition on Psalms 71:12

O God, be not far from me,.... God is everywhere, at hand and afar off, with regard to his being, power, and providence; his glorious presence is in heaven, his gracious presence is with his people;

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 71:12

O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help. O God, be not far from me - (Psalms 22:11.) O my God, make haste for my help - (Psalms 40:13.)

Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 71:12

Psalms 71:12 O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.Ver. 12. O God, be not far from me] The insolence of his enemies sets an edge upon his prayers Oratio sine malis est avis sine alis. Our Saviour in his agony prayed the more earnestly, Luke 22:44.

Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 71:12

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

Cambridge Bible on Psalms 71:12

9–13. Repeated deprecations and prayers.

Barnes' Notes on Psalms 71:12

O God, be not far from me - See the notes at Psalms 22:11. O my God, make haste for my help - See the notes at Psalms 40:13.

Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 71:12

12. Make haste for my help—David’s familiar cry in his deepest distresses, which identifies the occasion with Psalms 70:1. See Psalms 22:19

Sermons on Psalms 71:12

SermonDescription
C.H. Spurgeon Do Not Forsake Me, O Lord! by C.H. Spurgeon C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the necessity of God's constant presence in our lives, urging believers to continually pray, 'Do not forsake me, O Lord!' He illustrates that just as a chi
Tim Conway The Art of Pleading to God by Tim Conway This sermon emphasizes the importance of prayer and the art of pleading with God. It delves into the disciples' request to Jesus to teach them to pray, highlighting the need for Go
Chuck Smith When God Quits Speaking by Chuck Smith In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of listening to God's voice and obeying His commands. He warns that there may come a time when God stops speaking to us if we
Chuck Smith Jesus Christ My Glory by Chuck Smith In this sermon, the preacher highlights the corrupt state of the world, drawing parallels between the present day and the biblical times. The preacher emphasizes that God's nature
Shane Idleman Prevailing Prayer - God Always Triumphs by Shane Idleman Shane Idleman emphasizes the significance of prevailing prayer, highlighting three keys: perseverance in prayer, knowing who you are praying to, and humbling yourself to be heard b
Shane Idleman When God Is Silent and Evil Prevails by Shane Idleman Shane Idleman addresses the feelings of abandonment and confusion when God seems silent amidst the prevalence of evil in the world. He emphasizes the importance of venting to God,
F.B. Meyer Our Daily Homily - Psalms by F.B. Meyer F.B. Meyer emphasizes the importance of rooting ourselves in God's Word to maintain spiritual vitality and resilience against life's challenges. He draws parallels between the flou

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