Psalm 70
A Cry for God's Swift Help
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Intro: In Psalm 70, the psalmist urgently cries out to God for His swift help and deliverance. As we study this psalm from a New Covenant perspective, we will see how it points to Jesus Christ as our ultimate source of help and salvation. We will explore the themes of seeking God's presence, trusting in His deliverance, and rejoicing in His salvation.
Section 1: Seeking God's Presence (vs 1-3)
"Hasten, O God, to save me; come quickly, LORD, to help me. May those who want to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. May those who say to me, 'Aha! Aha!' turn back because of their shame."
Talking Points:
The psalmist's urgent cry for God's immediate intervention and help.
The plea for God to confound and thwart the plans of those who seek to harm the psalmist.
The desire for the adversaries to experience shame and defeat.
Harmony: Hebrews 4:16 (NIV), "Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Questions:
How does the psalmist's urgent cry for God's help challenge you to seek His presence and assistance in your own times of trouble?
In what ways can we approach God's throne of grace with confidence, trusting that He will provide mercy and help in our times of need?
How does Jesus, as our High Priest who understands our weaknesses, inspire us to seek God's presence and find help in Him?
Section 2: Trusting in God's Deliverance (vs 4)
"But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, 'The LORD is great!'"
Talking Points:
The psalmist's call for all who seek God to rejoice and be glad in Him.
The expression of confidence in God's saving help.
The declaration of the greatness of the LORD.
Harmony: John 3:16 (NIV), "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Questions:
How does the psalmist's call for rejoicing in God challenge you to trust in His deliverance and salvation in all circumstances?
In what ways can we express gratitude and gladness in God's saving help, especially through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross?
How does Jesus, as the embodiment of God's love and the provider of eternal life, inspire us to rejoice and declare the greatness of the LORD?
Section 3: Rejoicing in God's Salvation (vs 5)
"But as for me, I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; LORD, do not delay."
Talking Points:
The psalmist's humble acknowledgment of being poor and needy, dependent on God's help.
The earnest plea for God's swift intervention as the ultimate help and deliverer.
The plea for God to act without delay.
Harmony: Romans 10:12-13 (NIV), "For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'"
Questions:
How does the psalmist's humble acknowledgment of dependence challenge you to rely on God as your ultimate help and deliverer?
In what ways can we call on the name of the Lord and trust in His salvation, knowing that everyone who calls on Him will be saved?
How does Jesus, as the one who offers salvation to all who believe in Him, inspire us to trust in God's swift and timely deliverance?
Summary
Psalm 70 presents a fervent plea for God's swift deliverance and assistance, finding its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus.
The psalmist's cry for God to hasten to his aid reflects our need for Jesus, who is always ready to intercede on our behalf before the Father (Hebrews 7:25, Romans 8:34).
The psalmist's acknowledgment of God as his help and deliverer points to Jesus as the ultimate source of our salvation and rescue (Acts 4:12, 2 Corinthians 1:10).
The psalmist's plea for those who seek God to rejoice anticipates the joy and celebration we experience when we find Jesus and His grace (Luke 15:10, Philippians 4:4).
The psalmist's humility and trust in God align with the attitude of surrender and reliance on Jesus, who taught us to come to Him with childlike faith (Matthew 18:3, Matthew 11:28-30).
The psalmist's plea for God to be exalted prefigures the exaltation of Jesus, who is seated at the right hand of the Father and worthy of all honor and glory (Acts 2:33-34, Philippians 2:9-11).
Psalm 70 leads us to Jesus as our Helper, Deliverer, and the object of our praise, inviting us to turn to Him in every situation, knowing that He is ready to come to our aid and provide us with the strength we need.