God Is Great – Psalm 70

David’s psalm is an urgent, quick prayer to Yahweh for deliverance.  He wrote it to be used at a memorial offering he made to give honor to Yahweh for delivering him.  The ESV Study Bible describes this offering this way:  “Grain offerings typically consisted of four elements: (1) fine flour; (2) oil; (3) frankincense; and (4) salt. They could be brought either uncooked or cooked. The priest would not burn the entire offering but only a handful as a “memorial portion”. The grain offering would ordinarily be offered with a burnt or peace offering and probably served the same purpose as the offering it accompanied, whether for petition or for praise.”  The offerer was “reminding” God of the offerer’s faithfulness.

Interestingly, this psalm is nearly verbatim a repeat of Psalm 40:14-17. 

To the choirmaster. Of David, for the memorial offering.

Make haste, O God, to deliver me!  O LORD, make haste to help me!  Let them be put to shame and confusion who seek my life!  Let them be turned back and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt!  Let them turn back because of their shame who say, “Aha, Aha!”

May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you!  May those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!”  But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God!  You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay!  (Psalm 70 ESV)

Prayers do not have to be long.  It is connecting to God that is important.  And sometimes our desperate situation makes for a short but intense conversation with God.  David asks for God’s haste in delivering him and longs to rejoice in God’s salvation from his enemies.  We are all poor and needy, helpless apart from God’s gracious help.