Psalms 70

Psalms 70:1-5

This plain is adapted to a state of affliction. It may be considered as an approach to the foregoing, and is almost literally the same with Pial. xi. v. 13-17, which relates to the Messiah. He prays, that

that God would find, 1. Help to himself, ver. 1, 5. 2. Shame to his enemies, ver. 2, 3. 3. Try to his friends, ver. 4.

1. PC, c. 1000. To the chief musician, A psalm of David, to bring to remembrance. 2. Did, cl. 3. Is, br. 4. Did, last, 1. Did, 17. 2. Did, 20.

2. MAKE haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O LORD, 2. Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that define my hurt. 3. Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame, that say, Aha, Aha. 4. Let all those that seek thee, rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified. 5. But I am poor and needy, make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer, O LORD, make no tarrying.

The title of this psalm is to bring to remembrance the mercies he had experienced; the former prayers he had offered, and God had answered; and therefore, in new trials to remember the good old way, and make his request full known unto God, he uses nearly the same words as he had done before, Pjal. al. for though formal prayer is fully and hypocrisy, a form of prayer may speak the warm brutality of a pious heart, and be used repeatedly to obliteration.

1. He looks for help in haste, because his danger was imminent, v. 1. Note, Urgent trials should awaken fervent prayer.

2. He prays that his enemies may be disappointed and confounded. They were maliciously bent to hurt him; fought after his soul, to enlance him with sin, or to rob him of his life; and already triumphed, as if they had succeeded: but he expects to see them turned backward, and their wicked devices baffled, v. 2, 3.

3. He pray that God’s people may rejoice, especially on observing his gracious interposition in his deliverance, and magnify God for his mercy. They are described as loving God, this being the constant delightful talk of the faithful, to pray and not taint; as loving his salvation, loving Jesus, the author of the salvation, and holiness, the appointed way, v. 4.

4. He expresses his confidence of help, whilst he pleads his warm. I am poor and needy; spiritually needy, and poor in spirit; but thou art my help and deliverer, and therefore my salvation is safe and sure, v. 5.

Jesus was thus fought for, his precious life pursued, and his enemies confident of success; but in his prayer he prevailed: Satan and all his emulphants were confounded in the day of his resurrection, and God, his helper and deliverer, made no tarrying, nor suffered his Holy One to see corruption; therefore doth his church triumph in their exalted head, and lay with joy, The Lord be magnified.

The faithful servants of God are also the mark of the world’s enmity, and the devil’s hatred; and they may expect many a sure trough from both: but they know where their help lies, and make haste to God in prayer; and though he may sometimes seem to delay his coming, he is not slick concerning his promises, but exercises the graces of his people to confirm and strengthen them, and makes no tarrying when their deliverance is necessary. However surely they may be exercised, the issue of their trials will be peace and joy; and they who love God’s salvation, and seek him without ceasing, will, in time and eternity, by delightful experience, bear testimony to his rich and sovereign grace, and ascribe to him the everlasting praise.