Psalm 70

Introduction.—Ps. 70 differs only slightly from Ps. 40:13–17. It is the cry of a soul in deep distress, perhaps representative of the nation of Israel in its realization of its utter need of God. It has two contrasting stanzas: vs. 1–3 are concerned with the enemies of God; vs. 4, 5, with those who seek Him. It has been suggested that these verses may have been taken from Ps. 40 to form a separate psalm for use in Temple worship. For additional comments on Ps. 70 see on Ps. 40:13–17. The comments below concern only points of difference between the two psalms.

On the superscription see p. 616.

1. Make haste. The phrase is supplied. In the Hebrew the psalm begins abruptly, “O God, to deliver me,” suggesting the intensity of the psalmist’s distress—as if there is not even sufficient control of emotion over intellect to make the grammatical construction complete.

O God. Heb. ХElohim. Ps. 40:13 has Yahweh (Vol. I, pp. 170–173).

2. Let them be ashamed. The first clause differs only slightly from Ps. 40:14; the word “together” after “confounded” and the phrase “to destroy it” after “my soul” do not appear in Ps. 70.

3. Turned back. The phrase is milder than the word “desolate” of Ps. 40:15. The phrase “unto me” of Ps. 40:15 does not appear in this verse. This may be an omission suggesting a change from personal to national application.

4. God. Heb. ХElohim. Ps. 40:16 has Yahweh (see on v. 1).

5. Make haste unto me, O God. Instead of this clause, Ps. 40:17 has “The Lord thinketh upon me.” Also, instead of the Heb. ХAdonai, “Lord” (Ps. 40:17), Ps. 70:5 has ХElohim, “God” (see on v. 1). For a discussion of the significance of the various divine names, see Vol. I, pp. 170–173.

O Lord. Heb. Yahweh. Ps. 40:17 has ХElohim. The profession of confidence in God (vs. 1–4) is here changed to a cry of need, and the tone of the poem closes in a plaintive mood. That this change in names has no special significance is shown by the fact that the change occurs both ways (see on vs. 1, 4).