Sermon Outline on Psalm 70:1-2 - A Call for Help
Psalm 70:1-2 presents an urgent plea for divine intervention: "Hurry, God, to deliver me. Come quickly to help me, Yahweh. May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who wish me harm be turned back and humiliated" [1]. This psalm is nearly identical to Psalm 40:13-17, suggesting a deliberate reuse of this prayer in a different context [5, 6]. The title of Psalm 70 indicates it is "a psalm to bring to remembrance," which some interpreters understand as a call for God to remember His promises, or for the psalmist to remember past afflictions and devotions [4, 5].
The literary context places Psalm 70 within a collection of psalms expressing distress and a need for God's swift action. Its urgency resonates with surrounding psalms like Psalm 69:17 and Psalm 71:12 [6]. The psalmist, likely in old age, appeals to God for help against enemies, recalling past divine favors and emphasizing present need [3]. This prayer for help is not merely for personal deliverance but also includes a petition for the shame and humiliation of those who seek the psalmist's harm [1, 2].
The phrase "Hurry, God, to deliver me. Come quickly to help me, Yahweh" underscores the psalmist's desperate situation and his reliance on God's immediate assistance [1]. The use of "Yahweh" (often translated as "Lord") emphasizes God's covenant name, invoking His faithfulness to His people [1]. The request for enemies to be "disgraced and put to shame" and "turned back and humiliated" reflects a common theme in the Psalms where the righteous seek vindication against their adversaries [1, 2]. Matthew Henry notes that this psalm is "adapted to a state of affliction," and it serves as a model for praying over previous prayers during similar difficult times [5].
Augustine interprets "David" in the Psalms as representing Christ in His humanity, suggesting that such prayers for deliverance can be understood in a Christological sense [7]. The psalmist's plea for God to "remember" is not because God forgets, but rather an honor God places on the "prayer of faith" [4]. This psalm functions as a fervent cry for help, expressing both personal vulnerability and confidence in God's responsive power.
Sources
- Psalms “Hurry, God, to deliver me. Come quickly to help me, Yahweh. -- Psalms 70:1”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Psalms 70:2 cross-references: Psalms 6:10, Psalms 22:12, Psalms 22:20, Psalms 35:4, Psalms 35:26, Psalms 40:14, Psalms 71:12, Psalms 71:13, Psalms 109:29, Psalms 141:1, Isaiah 28:13, Isaiah 41:11, John 18:6”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 70 (introduction): The Psalmist, probably in old age, appeals to God for help from his enemies, pleading his past favors, and stating his present need; and, in confidence of a hearing, he promises his grateful thanks and praise. (Psa. 71:1-24) (Compare Psa 30:1-3).”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 70:1: The title tells us that this psalm was designed to bring to remembrance; that is, to put God in remembrance of his mercy and promises (for so we are said to do when we pray to him and plead with him. Isa 43:26, Put me in remembrance) - not that the Eternal Mind needs a remembrancer, but this honour he is pleased to put upon the prayer of faith. Or, rather, to put himself and others in remembrance of former afflictions, that we may never be secure, but always in expectation of troubles, and of former devotions, that when the clouds return after the rain we may have”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 70 (introduction): This psalm is adapted to a state of affliction; it is copied almost word for word from the fortieth, and, some think for that reason, is entitled, "a psalm to bring to remembrance;" for it may be of use sometimes to pray over the prayers we have formerly made to God upon similar occasions, which may be done with new affections. David here prays that God would send, I. Help to himself (Psa 70:1, Psa 70:5). II. Shame to his enemies (Psa 70:2, Psa 70:3). III. Joy to his friends (Psa 70:4). These five verses were the last five verses of Ps. 40. He seems t”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 70:1: Ps 70 This psalm, nearly identical to 40:13-17, contains an urgency (70:1, 5) that fits with the surrounding psalms (cp. 69:17; 71:12). 70:title asking God to remember him: The meaning of this phrase is unknown (also found in 38:title).”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 8: Augustine — Exposition on Psalms — TO THE END, FOR THE SERVANT OF THE LORD, (part 1): DAVID HIMSELF. 1. That is, for the strong of hand, Christ in His Manhood.(8) "The words of this song which he spoke to the Lord on the day when the Lord delivered him out of the hands of his enemies, and of the hand of Saul; and he said, On the day when the Lord delivered him out of the hands of his enemies and of the hand of Saul:" namely, the king of the Jews, whom they had demanded for themselves.(9) For as "David" is said to be by interpretation, strong of hand; so "Saul" is said to be demand”