Psalms 70
BSASBThis short psalm of David is an urgent cry for help from someone in danger. He asks God to rescue him quickly and to turn back those who mock him. He also prays that all who seek God will rejoice, and he ends by admitting his own need and begging God not to delay.
Psalms 70:1
The psalm opens with no introduction, only a cry. David asks God to come quickly. He is in real trouble and cannot wait. The verse gives the reader a model of honest, urgent prayer, with both the name God and the name LORD appealed to.
BSA: Make haste (“come quickly, hurry”): David asks God to act at once, because the danger is pressing. deliver (“rescue, save”): He wants to be pulled out of danger, not merely comforted in it.
Hebrew: חוּשָׁה (chushah, H2363) — “hasten, hurry.” This Hebrew word carries the sense of rushing to act. David is asking God to run to his side, not to stroll.
See also: Psalm 40:13.
Psalms 70:2
David prays that those hunting him would be shamed and turned back. Their aim is to take his life, so he asks that their plans fail. This is a plea for justice, left in God’s hands rather than taken into his own.
BSA: life (“soul, very being”): The enemies are not after a trifle. They threaten his whole self. repelled (“turned back, defeated”): He asks that their advance be stopped and driven backward.
See also: Psalm 35:4.
Psalms 70:3
The mockers cry out, “Aha, aha!” in cruel delight at his trouble. David asks that they would turn back in shame. Scorn is a heavy burden for the afflicted, and the psalm trusts that God sees it and answers it.
BSA: Aha, aha (“with scorn, in triumph”): The cry is a sneer of gloating, not simple surprise.
See also: Psalm 35:21.
Psalms 70:4
The mood turns from enemies to the faithful. David prays that all who seek God would rejoice in Him. Those who love God’s salvation will keep saying that He is great. Rescue is never only private; it leads others to praise.
BSA: seek (“diligently search for, come to worship”): Seeking God means earnest searching and turning to Him in worship. magnified (“exalted, praised”): To magnify God is to make Him look as great as He truly is.
Hebrew: יִגְדַּל (yigdal, H1431) — “may He be great.” The Hebrew root means to be large or grow great. Praise does not make God bigger, but it helps us see His true size.
See also: Psalm 40:16.
Psalms 70:5
David ends by naming his own condition: poor and needy. He has nothing to bring but his need. He also names who God is to him, his help and deliverer. The last plea, do not delay, shows trust that God is able, not doubt that He is willing.
BSA: poor (“needy, destitute”): David admits he has nothing of his own to rely on. delay (“tarry, wait”): He begs God not to linger, because his need is urgent.
See also: Psalm 40:17; Matthew 5:3.