A Journey Through The Psalms Wisdom From God A Journey Through The Psalms

Psalm 70– When You Need God Now! This is one of the shortest psalms in the psalter. It is only five verses long and is actually an excerpt from the much longer Psalm 40. Psalm 40 is a messianic psalm of much greater length. This excerpt has only minor changes in language to function as a stand alone plea to God. It is for times of emergency, when God is needed immediately.

911 To The Lord (A Hurry Sandwich) The Psalm opens and closes with a plea to God for a speedy rescue Verse 1, 5: “O God, hasten to deliver me; O Lord, hasten to my help!....But I am afflicted and needy; Hasten to me, O God!” We don’t know the occasion, but we know the reason: “I am afflicted and needy.”

What Constitutes An Emergency? Apostles on the boat in a bad storm? Matthew 8:23- 27 “The boat was being covered with the waves…” “But Jesus was asleep” “Save us, Lord: we are perishing….” “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith.”

Jairus and His Daughter? Mark 5:22-24, 35: Daughter near death so Jairus seeks out Jesus. Jesus agrees to help, but is detained. Daughter dies. Jesus resurrects from the dead.

God Knows The True Urgency A tale of a leaky water heater God never underestimates our need.

Imprecation Toward Enemies Imprecation: the verbal expression of a curse upon others. Example: May you suffer the pain of a thousand shaving cuts to your face! David often uses imprecation.

Examples Of Violent Imprecation “O God, shatter their teeth in their mouth; break out the fangs of the young lions.” Psalm 58:6 “Destroy them in wrath, destroy them that they may be no more…” Psalm 59:13

Mild Imprecation In Psalm 70 V. 2-3 – “Let those be ashamed and humiliated who seek my life; Let those be turned back and dishonored who delight in my hurt. Let those be turned back because of their shame who say, ‘Aha, aha!” Disgrace them! Dishonor them! Disorient them! God can defeat our enemies for us.

Those Who Say Aha, Aha! Is a form of mocking. Targum translates as: “We are glad, we are glad!” They were delighting in the misery and demise of the psalmist (David). David was asking God to turn the tables.

God The Only Savior David knew only God could deliver him from his trouble. He displays a complete lack of self- confidence. That is good. Verse 5a – “But I am afflicted and needy….” Displays absolute GOD CONFIDENCE verse 4: “Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; and let those who love Your salvation say continually, “Let God be magnified.”

Let God Be Magnified When God has helped you through a difficult time, who do you tell? Do we give God the glory when He rescues us? Can you share your message of deliverance with someone else to encourage them and maybe win them to Christ? Magnify His Name!