Psalm 70

In Book II of the Psalter, only Psalms 43 and 71 have no superscription in the Hebrew. Psalm 43 is clearly part of the same psalm as Psalm 42, as the many connections between and flow of these two psalms together show; and it is likely that Psalms 70 and 71 together are actually one psalm. Note the following links:
70:1b, 5b and 71:12b.
70:2 and 71:10, 13.
70:1a and 71:2.
70:4c and 71:19c.

Psalm 70 is almost identical to Psalm 40:13-17, and says:

"Be pleased, O God, to deliver me.
O Lord, make haste to help me!
Let those be put to shame and confusion
who seek my life.
Let those be turned back and brought to dishonor
who desire to hurt me.
Let those who say, 'Aha, Aha!'
turn back because of their shame.
Let all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you.
Let 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!"

1. Malicious enemies are attacking this psalmist, and are about to destroy her/him. So, she/he prays fervently for Yahweh to act NOW: "make haste," "hasten," "do not delay." Sometimes in life our problems are so pressing that we feel we will "drown" in them in the next few moments if we do not receive relief. Thus, we can relate closely to the psalmist's feelings here.
2. The composer pleads with Yahweh to do two things. First, he/she begs Yahweh to defeat his/her enemies who are oppressing him/her (verses 2-3). This is the same kind of prayer we have just discussed in Psalm 69:22-28. This kind of prayer occurs often in the Psalter and elsewhere in scripture. The child of God refuses to retaliate herself/himself, and turns over her/his problems to God, trusting in God's assurance: "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord" (Deuteronomy 32:35-36; Romans 12:17-21).
3. Second, the poet begs Yahweh to give true joy to those who are striving to be faithful to him, including the psalmist (verses 4-5). Joy here does not mean giddiness or superficial happiness, but a deep, long-lasting, abiding inner assurance of God's constant presence, deliverance, and help.
Praise God for the joy he gives those who truly seek and serve him.

John Willis