Skip to content
Bible Studies

PSALMS 70

Old Testament Studies
Table of Contents
Previous Section
Next Section

 

STROPHE DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

NASB NKJV NRSV TEV NJB
Prayer for Help Against Persecutors
MT
Intro
For the choir director. A Psalm of David; for
a memorial.		 Prayer for Relief From Adversaries A Prayer for Deliverance From Personal Enemies A Prayer For Help A Cry of Distress
70:1-3 70:1-3 70:1-3 70:1-3 70:1-2b
        70:2c-3
70:4-5 70:4 70:4-5 70:4 70:4
  70:5   70:5 70:5

READING CYCLE THREE (see
“Bible
Interpretation Seminar”)

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR’S INTENT AT PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary, which
means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the
light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not
relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects (reading cycle #3). Compare
your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is
the key to following the original author’s intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every
paragraph has one and only one subject.

  1. First paragraph
  2. Second paragraph
  3. Third paragraph, etc.

CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS

  1. Notice the Qal IMPERATIVE “hasten” (BDB 301, KB 300) opens
    (cf. Ps. 70:1b) and closes (cf. Ps. 70:5b) the Psalm (i.e., inclusio). This VERB
    is repeated in Psalm 22:19; 38:22; 40:13,17; 71:12.

     

  2. Notice the number of IMPERFECTS used as JUSSIVES
    (note the parallelism).

     

    1. Negative
      1. let those be ashamed, Ps. 70:2a – BDB 101, KB 116, Qal
        IMPERFECT, cf. Ps. 35:4; 83:17
      2. let those be humiliated, Ps. 70:2a – BDB 344, KB 340, Qal
        IMPERFECT, cf. Ps. 40:14
      3. let those be turned back, Ps. 70:2c – BDB 690, KB 744,
        Niphal IMPERFECT
      4. let those be dishonored, Ps. 70:2c – BDB 483, KB 480, Niphal
        IMPERFECT
      5. let those be turned back, Ps. 70:3a – BDB 996, KB 1427, Qal
        IMPERFECT
    2. Positive
      1. let all who seek You rejoice, Ps. 70:4 – BDB 965, KB 1314, Qal
        IMPERFECT
      2. let all who seek You be glad, Ps. 70:4 – BDB 970, KB 1333, Qal
        IMPERFECT
      3. let those who love Your salvation say. . .,” Ps. 70:4b – BDB 55,
        KB 65, Qal IMPERFECT
      4. God be magnified, Ps. 70:4c – BDB 152, KB 178, Qal
        IMPERFECT
      5. do not delay, Ps. 70:5d – BDB 28, KB 34, Piel
        IMPERFECT

     

  3. Notice the wonderful synonymous parallelism of the Psalm.
  4. This Psalm is repeated with some differences in Psalm 40:13-17, except for Ps. 70:3a.
    1. Psalm 70:3, “turn back” (BDB 690 I)
    2. Psalm 40:15, “appalled” (BDB 1030)

WORD AND PHRASE STUDY

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: PSALM 70:1-3
 1O
God, hasten to deliver me;
 O
Lord, hasten to my help!
 2Let those be ashamed and
humiliated
 Who seek my
life;
 Let those be turned
back and dishonored
 Who
delight in my hurt.
 3Let
those be turned back because of their shame
 Who say, “Aha, aha!”

70:1 The NASB assumes the Qal imperative is used twice (cf. Ps. 22:19; 38:22;
40:13; 71:12; 141:1) and has parallel objects
(cf. Ps. 70:5).

1. deliver me

2. help me

Also notice that God (Elohim) is parallel to Lord
(YHWH), as they are in verse 5. See

SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY.

70:2 “Let. . .” This is the
English way to denote the jussive of request.
See Contextual Insights, B.

▣ “seek” This verbal (BDB 134, KB 152, Piel participle) occurs in Ps. 70:2 and 4. It describes
two kinds of people.

1. those who seek to kill others to get their way

2. those who seek God

 

 

70:2-3 “Who. . .” Those who oppose
the psalmist are characterized in three parallel phrases.

1. who seek my life (lit. nephesh)

2. who delight in my hurt

3. who say, “Aha, aha”

This last one denotes a common OT literary technique called “reversal.”
What they wished to happen to the godly psalmist, happens to them!

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: PSALM 70:4-5
 4Let
all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;
 And let those who love Your
salvation say continually,
 “Let
God be magnified.”
 5But
I am afflicted and needy;
 Hasten
to me, O God!
 You are my
help and my deliverer;
 O
Lord, do not delay.

70:4 “seek You” This is an OT
idiom for a personal faith relationship with God characterized by

1. temple worship

2. covenant obedience

The last line of Ps. 70:4 may be temple liturgy.

70:5 Notice that the two concepts of “deliver”
and “help” of Ps. 70:1 are repeated (different but synonymous
verb for “deliver”).

▣ “I am afflicted and needy”
The psalmist characterizes his own perceived situation. God is great (Ps.
70:4) but he is hurting. He entreats God to come to his aid quickly.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

This is a study guide commentary which means
that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of
us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are
priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the
major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought
provoking, not definitive.

1. Why is Psalm 70 also found in Psalm 40:13-17?

2. Explain in your own words the literary concept of “reversal.”

3. What do the names for Deity, Elohim and YHWH, imply?

 

Copyright © 2014 Bible
Lessons International

 

Old Testament Studies
Table of Contents
Previous Section
Next Section