Psalm 70 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 70 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1Be pleased, O God, to deliver me. O Lord, make haste to help me!
Verse 2Let 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.
Verse 3Let those who say, "Aha, Aha!" turn back because of their shame.
Verse 4Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let those who love your salvation say evermore, "God is great!"
Verse 5But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay!
Devotion
This psalm is a desperate cry for help. The cry is not for tomorrow, next week or next year. It is a prayer for NOW! It has been suggested by scholars that the Temple may have had a variety of psalms written down that a person could choose which would be fitting for one’s mood. Twenty-five years ago, on 9/11, our congregation opened the doors for our community to come in and pray. We had hymns, scripture, poems, and prayers fitting for that day of tragedy. This psalm echoes the pattern of individual laments—Address, Complaint, Petition, and Trust/Praise. I’m grateful that the scriptures reflect the range of human life and emotions. For there are those days when we too want to pray, “O Lord, do not delay!”
Prayer
God of comfort, it is good to know that we can share all our thoughts and feelings with you. For you are our help and deliverer. Use us this day to be the answer to prayer for someone in need of your urgent presence. Amen.
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