Psalms 70:5

KJV

But I [am] poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou [art] my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying.

KJV (with Strong's)

But I am poor {H6041} and needy {H34}: make haste {H2363}{H8798)} unto me, O God {H430}: thou art my help {H5828} and my deliverer {H6403}{H8764)}; O LORD {H3068}, make no tarrying {H309}{H8762)}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But I am poor and needy; God, hurry for me. You are my helper and rescuer; ADONAI, don't delay!

Berean Standard Bible

But I am poor and needy; hurry to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay.

American Standard Version

But I am poor and needy; Make haste unto me, O God: Thou art my help and my deliverer; O Jehovah, make no tarrying.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 70:5 is a poignant and urgent plea from a psalmist in profound distress, articulating a complete recognition of personal vulnerability and utter dependence on God. It stands as a powerful declaration of unwavering faith in God's essential character as the ultimate source of help and deliverance. This verse encapsulates a raw, honest, and desperate cry for swift divine intervention, embodying the core essence of a lament psalm that transitions from deep affliction to confident, immediate appeal for God's saving action.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 70 is a concise and urgent lament, notably almost identical to the concluding verses of [Psalm 40](/psalms/40 "Psalm 40 - A Song of Deliverance and Trust") (specifically [Psalm 40:13-17](/psalms/40-13-17 "Psalm 40:13-17 - A Plea for Deliverance")). This near-verbatim repetition suggests it may have been extracted for a specific liturgical or personal use, or that both psalms draw from a common, widely recognized prayer formula for deliverance. Within Psalm 70 itself, verse 5 serves as the psalmist's personal confession of need and direct appeal to God, following an initial plea for God to shame and confound his adversaries ([Psalms 70:1-3](/psalms/70-1-3 "Psalm 70:1-3 - A Cry for Swift Help Against Enemies")) and a contrasting desire for those who seek God to rejoice in and magnify Him ([Psalms 70:4](/psalms/70-4 "Psalm 70:4 - A Blessing for God-Seekers")). The psalm culminates with a renewed, fervent appeal for God's swift action, echoing the sentiment of verse 5 ([Psalms 70:6-7](/psalms/70-6-7 "Psalm 70:6-7 - Final Urgent Plea")). This structure underscores the psalmist's deep personal need as the primary catalyst for his desire for both divine vindication and the flourishing of the righteous.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Traditionally attributed to King David, Psalm 70 reflects the universal human experience of affliction and opposition, common in ancient Israel whether from personal enemies, national threats, or internal spiritual distress. The phrase "poor and needy" (`'ani v'evyon`) in the Old Testament extends beyond mere material destitution to encompass social vulnerability, oppression, and a spiritual humility that recognizes complete dependence on God. In a society where one's well-being was often intrinsically linked to social status, family support, or tribal protection, the "poor and needy" were those without human recourse, whose only viable hope was divine intervention. The urgent pleas for God to "make haste" and "make no tarrying" are characteristic of biblical laments, reflecting a cultural understanding of God as actively involved in human affairs, capable of immediate and decisive action. The invocation of "O God" (`Elohim`) and "O LORD" (`Yahweh`) underscores a reliance on both God's universal power as Creator and His covenant faithfulness to His people as the one who keeps His promises.
* **Key Themes:** This verse profoundly contributes to several overarching themes found throughout the Psalter and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **Profound Dependence** of humanity upon God. The declaration "But I am poor and needy" is not merely a statement of fact but a humble, faith-filled admission of utter helplessness and reliance on God alone. This theme resonates throughout Scripture, emphasizing that true strength is found in acknowledging weakness, as seen in passages like [2 Corinthians 12:9](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9 - God's Strength in Weakness"). Secondly, the repeated phrases "make haste unto me" and "make no tarrying" underscore the **Urgency of Prayer** and the belief in God's active involvement in human affairs. This is a fervent, immediate call for divine intervention, demonstrating a conviction that God hears and responds to the cries of His people, a principle echoed in [Psalm 18:6](/psalms/18-6 "Psalm 18:6 - God Hears the Cry of the Distressed"). Thirdly, the psalmist's confident declaration, "thou art my help and my deliverer," establishes God as the **Sole Source of Help and Deliverance**. This is a foundational theological truth, affirming God's character as the ultimate rescuer and refuge in times of trouble, paralleling the powerful affirmation in [Psalm 46:1](/psalms/46-1 "Psalm 46:1 - God Our Refuge and Strength"). Finally, despite the desperate circumstances, there is an underlying current of **Faith in Divine Faithfulness**, as the psalmist appeals to God's covenant name, Yahweh, recalling His steadfast love and historical acts of salvation, a theme central to the covenant relationship described in [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6-7 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The Lord's Compassion and Justice").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Poor and Needy (Hebrew, _`ʻânîy`_ H6041 and _`ʼebyôwn`_ H34):** This dual expression combines `עָנִי` (`ʻânîy`), meaning 'afflicted, humble, lowly, poor,' and `אֶבְיוֹן` (`ʼebyôwn`), meaning 'destitute, beggar, needy.' Together, they portray a comprehensive state of vulnerability and complete dependence. It signifies not merely material poverty but a holistic condition of spiritual, emotional, and social destitution, a profound lack of resources or power to help oneself. In the Psalms, this phrase often describes those whom God champions and defends, highlighting their utter reliance on divine grace and intervention.
* **Make Haste (Hebrew, _`chûwsh`_ H2363):** This is an imperative verb, `חוּשָׁה` (`chûwsh`), conveying a strong, immediate, and urgent request for God to act swiftly. It is not a demand born of impatience or a lack of faith in God's sovereignty, but rather an earnest and desperate plea arising from the psalmist's dire circumstances. It reflects a deep conviction that God is capable of rapid intervention and an intense longing for relief from pressing affliction. The repetition of this sentiment with "make no tarrying" amplifies the urgency.
* **Help (Hebrew, _`ʻêzer`_ H5828) and Deliverer (Hebrew, _`pâlaṭ`_ H6403):** These two terms together paint a vivid picture of God's active role. `עֶזֶר` (`ʻêzer`) signifies assistance, succor, or aid, emphasizing God's supportive presence. `מְפַלְּטִי` (`mephalleti`) comes from the root `פָּלָט` (`pâlaṭ`), meaning 'to slip out, i.e., escape; causatively, to deliver.' This term highlights God's active role in extricating the psalmist from peril, providing a way of escape, and bringing him to safety. Combined, they portray God not just as a passive supporter but as an active, powerful rescuer who intervenes decisively to save.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But I [am] poor and needy:"** This opening clause serves as a stark contrast to the preceding verses, which focus on God's judgment of enemies and the joy of the righteous. It is a humble, raw confession of the psalmist's personal state of utter helplessness and dependence. This admission of vulnerability is foundational to the prayer, signifying that the psalmist has no recourse within himself or from human sources, thereby placing all hope squarely on God.
* **"make haste unto me, O God:"** Following the confession of need, this is the immediate, urgent appeal. The imperative "make haste" (or "be quick") conveys the desperate nature of the psalmist's situation, implying that the danger is imminent and relief is desperately needed. The address "O God" (`Elohim`) appeals to God's universal power and His capacity to intervene in all circumstances, recognizing His sovereign authority over all creation.
* **"thou [art] my help and my deliverer;"** This declarative statement is a powerful affirmation of faith, even amidst distress. It shifts the focus from the psalmist's weakness to God's strength and character. "Help" (`'ezrah`) speaks of divine assistance and support, emphasizing God's constant presence and provision, while "deliverer" (`mephalleti`) points to God's active role in rescuing from danger and bringing to safety. This phrase anchors the plea in the psalmist's established knowledge and experience of who God is, a deep conviction forged through past acts of salvation.
* **"O LORD, make no tarrying."** This final clause reiterates and intensifies the urgent plea from the beginning of the verse. The use of "O LORD" (`Yahweh`) invokes God's covenant name, appealing to His faithfulness and His historical commitment to His people, recalling His steadfast love and mercy. "Make no tarrying" (or "do not delay") is a strong, emphatic repetition of "make haste," underscoring the critical nature of the situation and the psalmist's fervent desire for immediate, decisive divine action.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 70:5 employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent message. The most prominent is **Repetition**, specifically the emphatic reiteration of the plea for swift divine action: "make haste unto me" and "make no tarrying." This serves to amplify the psalmist's desperate urgency and highlights the critical nature of his situation, underscoring that the need for God's intervention is immediate and pressing. Another device is **Contrast**, as the psalmist's self-description as "poor and needy" stands in stark opposition to the omnipotence and sufficiency of God, who is declared to be "my help and my deliverer." This juxtaposition emphasizes the vast chasm between human weakness and divine strength, making God's intervention all the more necessary and glorious. The entire verse functions as a concise **Lament**, a genre of psalm characterized by a cry of distress, a confession of need, and an appeal for divine rescue, often concluding with an expression of trust or a vow of praise. Finally, the titles "my help" and "my deliverer" function as **Metaphors** or epithets, vividly portraying God's active and personal role in the psalmist's life, going beyond mere abstract concepts to describe His tangible, saving presence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 70:5 is a profound theological statement on the nature of prayer, human dependence, and divine character. It teaches that authentic prayer begins with a humble acknowledgment of our own insufficiency and vulnerability, recognizing that apart from God, we are truly "poor and needy." This posture of dependence is not a weakness but the very prerequisite for experiencing God's strength and intervention. The psalmist's urgent cry for God to "make haste" underscores a deep conviction in God's active involvement in the world and His responsiveness to the pleas of His people. It is a prayer born not of doubt, but of fervent faith in a God who is both able and willing to intervene decisively. The declaration "thou art my help and my deliverer" is a powerful affirmation of God's unwavering faithfulness and His essential nature as the one who sustains, supports, and rescues. This verse thus serves as a timeless model for believers to bring their raw, honest needs before God, confident in His character as the ultimate source of salvation and aid.

* [Psalm 46:1](/psalms/46-1 "Psalm 46:1 - God Our Refuge and Strength")
* [Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")
* [Philippians 4:6-7](/philippians/4-6-7 "Philippians 4:6-7 - Do Not Be Anxious, But Pray")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 70:5 offers a timeless and deeply personal model for our own spiritual lives, inviting us into a posture of radical honesty and profound trust before God. In a world that often pressures us to project strength and self-sufficiency, this verse encourages us to embrace our true state of "poor and needy" before our Creator. It reminds us that acknowledging our limitations, vulnerabilities, and desperate needs is not a sign of weakness, but the very doorway through which God's infinite strength and boundless grace can enter our lives. When we lay bare our helplessness, we create the space for God to be our all-sufficient "help and deliverer." Furthermore, the psalmist's urgent cry to "make haste" teaches us that it is not only permissible but often necessary to bring our most pressing anxieties and immediate needs to God with fervent, unreserved prayer. This is not a lack of faith in God's timing, but an expression of our profound reliance on His active intervention in our present circumstances. As we anchor our hope in God's unchanging character, we can confidently appeal to Him, knowing that He hears, He cares, and He is faithful to act on behalf of those who trust in Him. This verse empowers us to pray boldly, transparently, and with an expectation of divine response, transforming our distress into an opportunity for deeper intimacy and reliance on our sovereign Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel "poor and needy," and how does acknowledging this open you up to God's strength?**
* **When have you experienced a desperate need for God's swift intervention, and how did you express that urgency in prayer?**
* **How does affirming God as your "help and deliverer" change your perspective on your current challenges?**
* **What specific "tarrying" in your life are you asking God to make haste and address today?**

### FAQ
**Why is this psalm so similar to Psalm 40?**

Answer: The near-verbatim similarity between Psalm 70 and [Psalm 40:13-17](/psalms/40-13-17 "Psalm 40:13-17 - A Plea for Deliverance") is a fascinating feature of the Psalter. Scholars propose several reasons. One common theory is that Psalm 70 was extracted from the longer Psalm 40 and re-purposed for a specific liturgical or personal need, perhaps as a more concise prayer for urgent deliverance. Another possibility is that both psalms draw from a common pool of traditional prayers or a "prayer book" of lament formulas, which could be adapted and combined as needed. It's also suggested that different editions or collections of the Psalms might have included these variations. Regardless of the exact reason, the repetition highlights the enduring relevance and power of this particular plea for divine intervention in times of distress, making it a prayer that could be readily adopted and reused by many.

**Does "make haste" imply a lack of faith in God's timing?**

Answer: No, the urgent plea "make haste unto me, O God: ... make no tarrying" does not imply a lack of faith in God's timing. Instead, it reflects the psalmist's profound distress and the critical nature of the situation. In the biblical context, such urgent petitions are not demands, but rather passionate expressions of desperate need and an earnest desire for God's immediate intervention. It demonstrates a deep trust in God's ability to act swiftly and a belief that He is attentive to the cries of His children. It's an honest pouring out of the heart, acknowledging that while God's timing is perfect, the human experience of suffering often calls for a fervent, immediate appeal for relief. This kind of prayer is encouraged throughout Scripture, as seen in the parable of the persistent widow in [Luke 18:1-8](/luke/18-1-8 "Luke 18:1-8 - The Parable of the Persistent Widow"), which teaches about the importance of continuous and earnest prayer.

**What does "poor and needy" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: In Psalms 70:5, "poor and needy" (`'ani v'evyon` in Hebrew) signifies much more than just material destitution. While it can include financial hardship, its primary meaning in the Psalms often refers to a holistic state of vulnerability, helplessness, and oppression. It describes someone who is socially marginalized, afflicted, humble, and without human recourse or power to improve their situation. Spiritually, it conveys a profound recognition of one's utter dependence on God, acknowledging a complete lack of self-sufficiency. It is the posture of humility that recognizes that only God can provide true help and deliverance. This self-identification as "poor and needy" is often seen as a virtue in the Old Testament, as it is precisely these individuals whom God champions and to whom He extends His special care and salvation, as highlighted in passages like [Psalm 34:6](/psalms/34-6 "Psalm 34:6 - The Poor Man Cried").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 70:5 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the one who, though rich, for our sakes became "poor and needy" ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty for Our Riches")), emptying Himself of divine prerogatives to take on human form ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humility")). In His earthly ministry, Jesus perfectly embodied this posture of dependence, constantly turning to the Father in prayer, even crying out with urgent pleas in His deepest agony, such as in Gethsemane ([Luke 22:42](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")). He knows intimately what it means to be vulnerable and to rely entirely on God. More significantly, Jesus is the ultimate "help and deliverer" for all humanity. Through His atoning death and resurrection, He has delivered us from the power of sin and death, providing the ultimate escape and rescue that no human effort could achieve ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Conquest of Death")). He is our sympathetic High Priest who understands our weaknesses and intercedes for us, enabling us to "come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" ([Hebrews 4:15-16](/hebrews/4-15-16 "Hebrews 4:15-16 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest")). The psalmist's cry for God to "make no tarrying" finds its answer in Christ's promise to return swiftly ([Revelation 22:20](/revelation/22-20 "Revelation 22:20 - Maranatha!")) and in the immediate, ever-present help He provides through the indwelling Holy Spirit to all who call upon Him in their own "poor and needy" state, a promise of His abiding presence until the very end of the age ([Matthew 28:20](/matthew/28-20 "Matthew 28:20 - The Great Commission and Christ's Presence")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 40:17

But I [am] poor and needy; [yet] the Lord thinketh upon me: thou [art] my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.

Psalms 141:1

¶ A Psalm of David. LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.

Psalms 69:29

But I [am] poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high.

Revelation 22:20

¶ He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Hebrews 10:37

For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

Psalms 13:1

¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?

Psalms 13:2

How long shall I take counsel in my soul, [having] sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?