Psalms 70:5

Translation
King James Version
But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying.
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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.
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Complete Jewish Bible
But I am poor and needy; God, hurry for me. You are my helper and rescuer; ADONAI, don't delay!
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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.
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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.
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World English Bible Messianic
But I am poor and needy. Come to me quickly, God. You are my help and my deliverer. LORD, don’t delay.
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Geneva Bible (1599)
Nowe I am poore and needie: O God, make haste to me: thou art mine helper, and my deliuerer: O Lord, make no tarying.
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Young's Literal Translation
And I am poor and needy, O God, haste to me, My help and my deliverer art Thou, O Jehovah, tarry Thou not!
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See also
Psalms 40:17Psalms 141:1Psalms 69:29Revelation 22:20Hebrews 10:37Psalms 13:1Psalms 13:2
In the KJVVerse 14,977 of 31,102

Study This Verse

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 (specifically Psalm 40:13-17). 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) and a contrasting desire for those who seek God to rejoice in and magnify Him (Psalms 70:4). The psalm culminates with a renewed, fervent appeal for God's swift action, echoing the sentiment of verse 5 (Psalms 70:6-7). 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. 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. 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. 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.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • Poor and Needy (Hebrew, ʻânîy H6041 and ʼebyôwn, H6041): 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, H5828): 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.

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 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, 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.

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), emptying Himself of divine prerogatives to take on human form (Philippians 2:7). 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). 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). 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). The psalmist's cry for God to "make no tarrying" finds its answer in Christ's promise to return swiftly (Revelation 22:20) 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).

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Commentary on Psalms 70 verses 1–5

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
Behold, "Be the Lord magnified:" will you never, will you nowhere? In Him was something, in me nothing: but if in Him is whatsoever I am, be He, not I. But thou then what? "But I am needy and poor" [Psalm 70:5]. He is rich, He abounding, He needing nothing. Behold my light, behold whence I am illumined; for I cry, "You shall illumine my candle, O Lord." What then of you? "But I am needy and poor." I am like an orphan, my soul is like a widow destitute and desolate: help I seek, always mine infirmity I confess. There have been forgiven me my sins, now I have begun to follow the commandments of God: still, however, I am needy and poor. Why still needy and poor? Because "I see another law in my members fighting against the law of my mind." [Romans 7:23] Why needy and poor? Because, "blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness." [Matthew 5:6] Still I hunger, still I thirst: my fullness has been put off, not taken away. "O God, aid me." Most suitably also Lazarus is said to be interpreted, "one aided:" that needy and poor man, that was transported into the bosom of Abraham; [Luke 16:23] and bears the type of the Church, which ought always to confess that she has need of aid. This is true, this is godly. "I have said to the Lord, My God You are." Why? "For my goods You need not." He needs not us, we need Him: therefore He is truly Lord. For you are not the very true Lord of your servant: both are men, both needing God. But if you suppose your servant to need you, in order that you may give him bread; thou also needest your servant, in order that he may aid your labours. Each one of you does need the other. Therefore neither of you is truly lord, and neither of you truly servant. Hear thou the true Lord, of whom you are the true servant: "I have said to the Lord, My God You are." Why are You Lord? "Because my goods You need not"? But what of you? "But I am needy and poor." Behold the needy and poor: may God feed, may God alleviate, may God aid: "O God," he says, "aid me."
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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