TRV
Translation
King James Version
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.
Complete Jewish Bible
But may all those who seek you be glad and take joy in you. May those who love your salvation say always, "God is great and glorious!"
Berean Standard Bible
May all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; may those who love Your salvation always say, “Let God be magnified!”
American Standard Version
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.
World English Bible Messianic
Let all those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let those who love your salvation continually say, “Let God be exalted!”
Geneva Bible (1599)
But let all those that seeke thee, be ioyfull and glad in thee, and let all that loue thy saluation, say alwaies, God be praised.
Young's Literal Translation
Let all those seeking Thee joy and be glad in Thee, And let those loving Thy salvation Say continually, `God is magnified.'
In the KJVVerse 14,976 of 31,102
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Commentary on Psalms 70 verses 1–5
1 ¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance. 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 desire 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 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 recourse to the same means which we have formerly found effectual for fetching in comfort and relief. We may in prayer use the words we have often used before: our Saviour in his agony prayed thrice, saying the same words; so David here uses the words he had used before, yet not without some alterations, to show that he did not design to tie himself or others to them as a form. God looks at the heart, not at the words.
I. David here prays that God would make haste to relieve and succour him (Psa 70:1, Psa 70:5): I am poor and needy, in want and distress, and much at a loss within myself. Poverty and necessity are very good pleas in prayer to a God of infinite mercy, who despises not the sighing of a contrite heart, who has pronounced a blessing upon the poor in spirit, and who fills the hungry with good things. He prays, 1. That God would appear for him to deliver him from his troubles in due time. 2. That in the mean time he would come in to his aid, to help him under his troubles, that he might not sink and faint. 3. That he would do this quickly: Make haste (Psa 70:1), and again (Psa 70:5), Make haste, make no tarrying. Sometimes God seems to delay helping his own people, that he may excite such earnest desires as these. He that believes does not make haste, so as to anticipate or outrun the divine counsels, so as to force a way of escape or to take any unlawful methods of relief; but he may make haste by going forth to meet God in humble prayer that he would hasten the desired succour. "Make haste unto me, for the longing desire of my soul is towards thee; I shall perish if I be not speedily helped. I have no other to expect relief from: Thou art my help and my delivered. Thou hast engaged to be so to all that seek thee; I depend upon thee to be so to me; I have often found thee so; and thou art sufficient, all-sufficient, to be so; therefore make haste to me."
II. He prays that God would fill the faces of his enemies with shame, Psa 70:2, Psa 70:3. Observe, 1. How he describes them; they sought after his soul - his life, to destroy that - his mind, to disturb that, to draw him from God to sin and to despair. They desired his hurt, his ruin; when any calamity befel him or threatened him they said, "Aha, aha! so would we have it; we shall gain our point now, and see him ruined." Thus spiteful, thus insolent, were they. 2. What his prayer is against them: "Let them be ashamed; let them be brought to repentance, so filled with shame as that they may seek thy name (Psa 83:16); let them see their fault and folly in fighting against those whom thou dost protect, and be ashamed of their envy, Isa 26:11. However, let their designs against me be frustrated and their measures broken; let them be turned back from their malicious pursuits, and then they will be ashamed and confounded, and, like the enemies of the Jews, much cast down in their own eyes," Gen 6:16.
III. He prays that God would fill the hearts of his friends with joy (Psa 70:4), that all those who seek God and love his salvation, who desire it, delight in it, and depend upon it, may have continual matter for joy and praise and hearts for both; and then he doubts not but that he should put in for a share of the blessing he prays for; and so may we if we answer the character. 1. Let us make the service of God our great business and the favour of God our great delight and pleasure, for that is seeking him and loving his salvation. Let the pursuit of a happiness in God be our great care and the enjoyment of it our great satisfaction. A heart to love the salvation of the Lord, and to prefer it before any secular advantages whatsoever, so as cheerfully to quit all rather than hazard our salvation, is a good evidence of our interest in it and title to it. 2. Let us then be assured that, if it be not our own fault, the joy of the Lord shall fill our minds and the high praises of the Lord shall fill our mouths. Those that seek God, if they seek him early and seek him diligently, shall rejoice and be glad in him, for their seeking him is an evidence of his good-will to them and an earnest of their finding him, Psa 105:3. There is pleasure and joy even in seeking God, for it is one of the fundamental principles of religion that God is the rewarder of all those that diligently seek him. Those that love God's salvation shall say with pleasure, with constant pleasure (for praising God, if we make it our continual work, will be our continual feast), Let God be magnified, as he will be, to eternity, in the salvation of his people. All who wish well to the comfort of the saints, and to the glory of God, cannot but say a hearty amen to this prayer, that those who love God's salvation may say continually, Let God be magnified.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–5. Public domain.
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Pachomius the GreatAD 348
LETTER 3:11
Now is the time to act for the Lord, because our salvation is in a time of affliction. If “those who love his salvation” can “know his steps” and “say constantly: God is great"; and if they can say, “My hope shall be in you always,” will they believe only in time of joy and not believe in time of affliction?It is written indeed, “What came out of your mouth, do diligently,” and again, “If you have made a prayer to the Lord, do not delay to render [what you have promised], lest the Lord claim it from you and it be for you a sin.” If you say, “My hope shall be in you always,” may you be found confident in time of affliction, in which is salvation.
Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 70
And what comes to pass when they are all turned back and blush, whether it be they that seek my soul, or they that think evil things to me, or they that with perverse and feigned benevolence with tongue would soften the stroke which they inflict, when they shall have been themselves turned away and confounded; there shall come to pass what? "Let them exult and be joyous in You:" not in me, not in this man or in that man; but in whom they have been made light that were darkness. "Let them exult and be joyous in You, all that seek You" [Psalm 70:4]. One thing it is to seek God, another thing to seek man. "Let them be joyous that seek You." They shall not be joyous then that seek themselves, whom You have first sought before they sought You. Not yet did that sheep seek the Shepherd, it had strayed from the flock, and He went down to it; [Luke 15:4] He sought it, and carried it back upon His shoulders. Will He despise you, O sheep, seeking Him, who has first sought you despising Him and not seeking Him? Now then begin thou to seek Him that first has sought you, and has carried you back on His shoulders. Do thou that which He speaks of, "They that are My sheep hear My voice, and follow Me." [John 10:27] If then you seek Him that first has sought you, and hast become a sheep of His, and you hear the voice of your Shepherd, and followest Him; see what He shows to you of Himself, what of His Body, in order that as to Himself you may not err, as to the Church you may not err, that no one may say to you, that is Christ which is not Christ, or that is the Church which is not the Church. For many men have said that Christ had no flesh, and that Christ has not risen in His Body: do not thou follow the voices of them. Hear thou the voice of Himself the Shepherd, that was clothed with flesh, in order that He might seek lost flesh. He has risen again, and He says, "Handle ye and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see Me have." [Luke 24:39] He shows Himself to you, the voice of Him follow thou. He shows also the Church, that no one may deceive you by the name of Church. "It behooved," He says, "Christ to suffer, and to rise again from the dead the third day, and that there should be preached repentance and remission of sins through all nations, beginning with Jerusalem." [Luke 24:46-47] You have the voice of Your Shepherd, do not thou follow the voice of strangers: [John 10:5] and a thief you shall not fear, if you shall have followed the voice of the Shepherd. But how shall you follow? If you shall neither have said to any man, as if it were by his own merit, Well, well: nor shall have heard the same with joy, so that your head be not made fat with the oil of a sinner. "Let all them exult and be joyous in You, that seek You; and let them say"— let them say what, that exult? "Be the Lord always magnified!" Let all them say this, that exult and seek You. What? "Be the Lord always magnified; yea, they that love Your salvation." Not only, "Be the Lord magnified;" but also, "alway."...A sinner you are, be He magnified in order that He may call; you confess, be He magnified in order that He may forgive: now you live justly, be He magnified in order that He may direct: you persevere even unto the end, be He magnified in order that He may glorify. "Be the Lord," then, "alway magnified; yea, they love His saving health." For from Him they have salvation, not from themselves. The saving health of the Lord our God, is the Saviour our Lord Jesus Christ: whosoever loves the Saviour, confesses himself to have been made whole; whosoever confesses himself to have been made whole, confesses himself to have been sick. Not their own saving health, as if they could save themselves of themselves: not as it were the saving health of a man, as though by him they could be saved. "Do not," he says, "confide in princes, and in the sons of men, in whom there is no safety." Why so? "Of the Lord is safety, and upon Your people is Your blessing."
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Psalm 70:4 serves as a pivotal declaration within a fervent prayer for divine intervention, shifting the focus from the psalmist's personal anguish to the universal and proper response of those who genuinely seek God. It articulates the profound joy and gladness that should characterize individuals in active pursuit of the Divine, culminating in a continuous, unwavering proclamation of God's supreme greatness by all who cherish His saving power. This verse encapsulates the essence of worship born from an intimate, trusting relationship with the Almighty, even amidst adversity and urgent pleas for deliverance.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalm 70:4 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological message. The most prominent is Parallelism, specifically synonymous parallelism, where the two main clauses ("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") express similar ideas using different but complementary phrasing. "Seeking God" and "loving His salvation" are presented as complementary aspects of genuine devotion, and "rejoicing and being glad in Him" is the spiritual fruit that naturally leads to "magnifying God." This parallelism reinforces the unity of spiritual pursuit and its joyful, worshipful outcome. There is also a strong element of Imperative Mood ("Let... rejoice," "let... say"), which functions both as a prayerful petition to God for His people to respond appropriately and as a prescriptive call to action for believers. The adverb "continually" acts as an Adverb of Time, emphasizing the enduring and unwavering nature of this praise, transcending momentary feelings or circumstances. Finally, the verse contains a powerful Contrast with the preceding verses of lament, offering a vision of hope and worship even amidst the psalmist's distress, highlighting the transformative power of faith and the ultimate triumph of God's glory.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 70:4 beautifully articulates the intrinsic connection between actively seeking God, experiencing His profound salvation, and expressing unceasing worship. It posits that genuine spiritual pursuit naturally culminates in profound, God-centered joy and an unwavering declaration of His greatness. This theological truth underscores that our ultimate purpose is to glorify God, not only in times of blessing and prosperity but especially as a grateful response to His saving acts in the midst of our trials and tribulations. The verse serves as a powerful reminder that even when we cry out for deliverance, our ultimate focus should return to God's character, His faithfulness, and His inherent worthiness of praise, transforming our lament into an anthem of magnification and our distress into an opportunity for divine exaltation.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers a profound spiritual anchor for believers navigating life's inevitable challenges, reminding us that our deepest joy and purpose are found in God alone. In a world often characterized by anxiety, despair, and a relentless focus on self, Psalm 70:4 calls us to reorient our gaze towards the Divine. It reminds us that authentic joy is not contingent on the absence of problems, but rather on the active presence of God in our lives and our diligent pursuit of Him. When we genuinely "seek" Him—through prayer, diligent study of Scripture, and obedient living—we discover a wellspring of gladness that transcends external circumstances. Furthermore, the call to "love His salvation" encourages a deep, grateful appreciation for every instance of God's deliverance, whether from sin, fear, or difficult situations. This love naturally overflows into a continuous magnification of His name, transforming our complaints into praise and our burdens into opportunities to declare His greatness. This perspective empowers us to live lives of perpetual worship, turning every moment into an occasion to glorify the One who saves and sustains us.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
How does this verse relate to the rest of Psalm 70, which is primarily a prayer of lament and urgent petition?
Answer: Psalm 70:4 serves as a crucial theological pivot within the psalm. While the preceding verses (Psalm 70:1-3) express the psalmist's urgent plea for deliverance from enemies and shame, verse 4 shifts the focus from personal distress to the universal and proper response of the righteous. It anticipates the ultimate outcome of God's intervention: not just the psalmist's relief, but the glorification of God by all who seek Him and love His salvation. This verse demonstrates that even in the midst of fervent lament and desperate cries for help, the ultimate aim of the believer is to see God magnified. It provides a theological framework of hope and worship that transcends immediate suffering, transforming the context of personal need into an opportunity for corporate adoration and divine exaltation.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 70:4 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The "salvation" that believers are called to love and for which they continually magnify God is most fully and eternally realized in the saving work of Christ on the cross. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, offering a deliverance far greater than any temporal rescue from enemies—deliverance from the bondage of sin and the power of death itself. Those who "seek God" in the New Covenant era do so primarily by seeking Christ, for He is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him. Our "rejoicing and being glad in Him" is rooted in the finished work of Christ, His triumphant resurrection, and the living hope and promise of eternal life that we have in Him (1 Peter 1:8-9). Furthermore, the call to "continually, Let God be magnified" becomes a Christ-centered magnification. As believers, we magnify God by proclaiming the Gospel, sharing the good news of what God has done through His Son, Jesus, and living lives that reflect His glory. This aligns perfectly with the apostolic mission to make known the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Thus, Psalm 70:4 is not merely a call to general piety but a prophetic anticipation of the boundless joy and unceasing worship that would flow from the ultimate salvation accomplished by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.