************************
A Prayer for Help
Psalm 70
Good News Translation (GNT)
*************************
1 Save me, O God! Lord, help me now!
2 May those who try to kill me be defeated
and confused. May those who are happy
because of my troubles be turned back
and disgraced.
3 May those who make fun of me be dismayed
by their defeat.
4 May all who come to you be glad and joyful.
May all who are thankful for your salvation
always say, "How great is God!"
5 I am weak and poor; come to me quickly,
O God. You are my saviour and my Lord -
hurry to my aid!
Footnotes
Psalm 70:1 In Hebrew texts 70:1-5 is
numbered 70:2-6.
*************************
Commentary taken from BRF New Daylight
'Save me, O God!'
These opening words
will be familiar to many
because of their place
in the liturgies
of some Western churches.
Much of this psalm
has in fact already
appeared as the final
verses of Psalm 40.
Like many good prayers
or hymns,
it is worth repeating.
Although the superscription
of the psalm says 'Of David',
this could mean that
it belonged to David's collection
rather than that
it was composed by him.
We can imagine times
in David's career
when it might indeed
have applied, but,
as with many psalms,
no context is given.
It can thus be used by
many different people
for many different occasions.
We can use it to give
expression to our urgently felt needs.
The psalm makes no bones about
the need for help
and swift deliverance.
The 'saving' that is sought (e.g. v 1)
is not the ultimate salvation
of Christian hope
(though this is not excluded)
but rather the temporal
and immediate deliverance
that is needed from the
hostile intentions of others.
There is a lot of this
in the psalms,
more perhaps than most of us
are apt to experience
in our ordinary lives.
However, there is no doubt
that those who hold positions
of significant leadership
often have to contend with
more than their fair share.
Others might wonder
why anyone is foolish
enough to want to lead.
For some, though,
it is their vocation.
Is it reverent
to ask God to get a move on?
Apparently so.
Or at least,
God does not mind if we do.
Urgent language expresses
how deep we feel
our need to be (v 5),
our sense of yearning
and the importance
of what we believe to be at stake.
Furthermore,
'The Lord is not slow
in keeping his promise,
as some understand slowness'
.... (2 Pet 3:9).
We can ask God
to be true to God's own self.
'He who testifies
to these things says,
"Yes, I am coming soon."'
.... (Rev 22:20)
Other versions are available here
Return to the Home Page
Contact the Rector
The Revd.Nic.Edwards
The Rectory,
Church Lane,
BUGBROOKE,
Northampton,
NN7 3PB
Land Line: 01604 - 815496
(Can be accessed from the mobile device)
Mobile: .....
E-mail:
thebeneficeofbhkandr at gmail dot com
Contact the Benefice Office
Sunday School Rooms, Church Lane,
BUGBROOKE, Northampton, NN7 3PB
Land Line: 01604 830373
E-mail:
thebeneficeofbhkandr at gmail dot com
Mon., Tues., Wed,, Thur., Fri.
9:00am to 11:30am
For Baptism bookings (Christenings)
to arrange an appointment please contact
the Benefice Office.
For Wedding bookings:
please contact the Benefice Office to arrange
an appointment.
Who Made This?
Seeing as you asked, if you can give helpful
advice or report factual corrections and
'deliberate mistakes',email:-
regparker3 at gmail dot com
Email addresses shown using words in an attempt to avoid 'spam',
Type the email address replacing 'at' with '@', and 'dot' with '.'
|