Hasten, O God, to save me;
come quickly, LORD, to help me.
May those who want to take my life
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
be turned back in disgrace.
May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”
turn back because of their shame.
But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
“The LORD is great!”
But as for me, I am poor and needy;
come quickly to me, O God.
You are my help and my deliverer;
LORD, do not delay.
After a couple of very long psalms, we come to a short appeal for deliverance in Psalm 70. David begins by saying: Make haste, O God, to deliver me! O Lord, make haste to help me!" (Psalm 70:1). David's cry captures his urgent need and longing for God's intervention in his time of trouble.
David was not an ordinary man. He was highly anointed, very brave, and extremely powerful. These qualities would make anyone who had them think no end of themselves. However, David shows his humility in recognizing his need for divine assistance. He acknowledges that God is his only hope and source of help.
This humble posture of dependence on God should remind us to rely on God rather than our own efforts. In the book of Hebrews, the author encourages us to go to Jesus with our weaknesses. He says, "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).
Both Psalm 70 and Hebrews 4:16 remind us that we don't have to face our challenges alone. We have a loving and compassionate God who is ready to hear our prayers and provide the help and grace we need. They encourage us to turn to God with trust and confidence, knowing he is our refuge and source of strength.
Let us do so with confidence, knowing that our cries for deliverance will not go in vain, for our God is attentive and ready to provide the help we seek.
God bless you.