Psalm Chapter 70 KJV

(Unless otherwise cited all the scriptural references in this devotional are from the King James Version of the Bible).

Context

Psalm 70 is surprisingly almost identical to Psalm 40:13– 17. Although the chapters appear to be similar, there is a difference in the use of the name ‘God’ rather than the name ‘Lord’ because Psalm 70 is in a part of the Psalter (Book II) that prefers to refer to ‘God’ as ( ’ĕlōhîm ). There is no research to clarify why this section of  Psalm 40:13– 17 became a separate poem as encased in Psalm 70. The psalm begins and ends with confidence in the protection of God. Because the writer is confident in God, he calls on him to help in the middle of false accusations and threats of malicious harm from his enemies. The psalmist’s trust in God’s righteousness is shown in the fact that he believes that his enemies want will receive what they wish for him on themselves. This prayer is also a lament of an individual who trusts in ‘Elohim’, even when he is in the middle life’s most difficult challenges.

Verses 1-4: Lord, you are my protector.

1 Make haste, o God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O Lord. 

Right away, the reader is acutely aware of the fact that the writer is in dire straits. However, they confidently trust in their “helper-Elohim’ to deliver them. Personally, we may feel that God is not listening to our prayers because we do not see and immediate response from him, but know that he hears the prayers of his children.  Just remember what it felt like when you kept asking your human father for something. Did he listen to you? Did her eventually through on your request? It may not have happened until the holidays-that was when your father could afford it-but it did happen! ² Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward and put to confusion, that desire my hurt. (See note on Psalm 40:14.)

Have you ever prayed for the Lord to make your enemies reap what they are sowing, or attempting to sow, into your life? Well, that is what David is doing here. Why? They were hell-bent on harming him. He did not want them to die, but he wanted them to reap what they are sowing! Many times I have told folks to take the high road.  That does not mean that they are supposed to sit and allow people to verbally and or physically abuse them.  It does mean that you do not give back to them what you think that they deserve. Why? In the future, it will be difficult for you to mend that fence. Paying people again, with the same putrid verbiage that they have levied at you, does them no harm, but it taints your soul. 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.

Now he wishes the opposite for the people of God. We must remember this when we are going through trials.  We must acknowledge that they will not last forever and that even in our tests, God will be glorified.  However, he will only be glorified based on our reactions to the trials. There is no life challenge that is too difficult for God. How I react to that trial defines my trust in him to bless and provide for his children. My reactions in front of the unsaved will also determine whether or not they can trust God to be their provider. The same thing applies to Christians.  Look at what David says now.

Trust God to be Kind to You.

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.

David confirms his human failings, then he affirms his trust in God. Why can he do that? David has learned that he can trust God to deliver him. Psalm 22:9– 10 “But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother’s breasts. I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother’s belly.”

Prayer: Lord, thank you so much for the kindness and love then you extent to me. Give me a heart that is willing to serve others with the same compassion and confidence that you have in me.