Psalm 70: Make Haste to Help Me
Best for: Urgent need, crisis prayer
Psalm 70 ("Make Haste to Help Me") is a lament psalm best read for urgent need, crisis prayer. Psalm 70 is a brief, urgent prayer for swift deliverance — almost identical to the end of Psalm 40. David cries 'Make haste, O God, to deliver me' and asks that enemies be put to shame.
Overview
Psalm 70 is a brief, urgent prayer for swift deliverance — almost identical to the end of Psalm 40. David cries 'Make haste, O God, to deliver me' and asks that enemies be put to shame. Meanwhile, those who seek God shall rejoice and say continually 'Let God be magnified.' David confesses he is poor and needy, urging God not to tarry.
Key Verses
"Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O LORD."— Psalm 70:1 (KJV)
"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."— Psalm 70:4 (KJV)
Key Themes
Reflection
Sometimes prayer is long and meditative; sometimes it's 'Help me now!' Both are valid. God hears both the carefully crafted prayer and the desperate cry.
Historical Context
A near-duplicate of Psalm 40:13-17, preserved separately as an urgent standalone prayer. Its brevity—only five verses—makes it ideal for moments when you need to pray but have no words. 'Make haste, O God, to deliver me!' is the cry of someone who cannot wait another moment.
How to Apply This Today
Memorize this short psalm for emergencies. When crisis strikes and you can't think clearly, these five verses provide a complete prayer: urgency, trust, and praise compressed into seconds. Sometimes the most powerful prayers are the shortest.
🙏 A Prayer from Psalm 70
Make haste, O God, to deliver me! Make haste to help me, O Lord! Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You. Let those who love Your salvation say continually, 'Let God be magnified!' You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay. Amen.
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Read devotionalFrequently Asked Questions
What is Psalm 70 about?
Psalm 70 is a brief, urgent prayer for swift deliverance — almost identical to the end of Psalm 40. David cries 'Make haste, O God, to deliver me' and asks that enemies be put to shame. Meanwhile, those who seek God shall rejoice and say continually 'Let God be magnified.' David confesses he is poor and needy, urging God not to tarry.
What does Psalm 70 teach us?
Sometimes prayer is long and meditative; sometimes it's 'Help me now!' Both are valid. God hears both the carefully crafted prayer and the desperate cry.
What are the key themes of Psalm 70?
The key themes of Psalm 70 include: Urgency, Deliverance, Poverty of Spirit, Magnifying God.
When should I read Psalm 70?
Psalm 70 is especially meaningful for: Urgent need, crisis prayer. The overall mood is urgent, desperate.
How can I apply Psalm 70 to my life?
Memorize this short psalm for emergencies. When crisis strikes and you can't think clearly, these five verses provide a complete prayer: urgency, trust, and praise compressed into seconds. Sometimes the most powerful prayers are the shortest.
Continue Studying Themes from Psalm 70
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Lamentations 3:22-23 — Meaning & Devotional
God's Faithfulness
Psalm 40:1-3 — Meaning & Devotional
Deliverance
Psalm 121:1-2 — Meaning & Devotional
Help from God
Bible Verses About Poverty
10 curated KJV verses
Bible Verses About Deliverance
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Psalm 40:1-2 Commentary
In-depth study • Deliverance Through Patient Waiting