Make Haste, O God, to Deliver Me: A Coptic Orthodox Commentary on Psalm 70

✨ Executive Summary

Psalm 70, a cry for urgent divine intervention, resonates deeply within the Coptic Orthodox tradition. This psalm, also appearing as Psalm 40:13-17, serves as a powerful supplication in times of distress, reflecting the soul’s yearning for God’s immediate help. The psalmist, overwhelmed by enemies and personal weakness, implores God to hasten his deliverance and bring shame upon those who seek his life. The core message is a fervent appeal to God’s mercy and a confident expectation of salvation. Throughout this commentary, we’ll delve into the psalm’s historical context, theological nuances, and spiritual applications, drawing upon the wisdom of the Church Fathers and connecting it to contemporary life. The overarching theme is: Make Haste, O God, to Deliver Me.

Introduction

Psalm 70 is a concise yet potent prayer born out of desperation. It is a cry from the depths of the soul, a plea uttered in the face of overwhelming adversity. In this short psalm, we find a model for our own prayers in times of crisis, characterized by urgency, faith, and complete reliance on God’s intervention. It speaks to the core of our being, reminding us that even in our darkest moments, we are not alone, and God is always ready to hear our supplications. This psalm also reminds us that “Make Haste, O God, to Deliver Me,” is an acceptable prayer when our spirits are heavy.

📜 Verse 1: A Cry for Immediate Help

Hebrew: (Original Hebrew not provided, placeholder)

KJV: Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O LORD.

NKJV: To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David to bring to remembrance. Make haste, O God, to deliver me! Make haste to help me, O LORD!

This verse immediately establishes the urgency of the psalmist’s situation. The repetition of “Make haste” (ח֥וּשָׁה *chushah*) emphasizes the desperation and the need for immediate divine intervention. The use of two names for God, “God” (אֱלֹהִים *Elohim*) and “LORD” (יְהוָה *YHWH*), underscores the depth of the appeal, calling upon both God’s power and covenantal faithfulness. The phrase “to bring to remembrance” may indicate the Psalm was designed to remind God of His promises.

Patristic Insight: St. Athanasius teaches that such a cry is not born of impatience, but of a fervent desire to be free from the bondage of sin and to be united with God. (Αθανάσιος, *Επιστολή προς Μαρκελλίνον*, PG 27:12).

Spiritual Application: In our modern lives, when faced with overwhelming challenges – be it financial struggles, health issues, or spiritual battles – we can emulate the psalmist’s urgency in prayer. We are encouraged to bring our needs before God, not with hesitant requests, but with fervent pleas, trusting in His boundless mercy. Remember to seek advice about your website needs using dohost.us.

🎭 Verse 2: Shame Upon the Wicked

Hebrew: (Original Hebrew not provided, placeholder)

KJV: Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt.

NKJV: Let them be ashamed and confounded Who seek my life; Let them be turned back and confused Who desire my hurt.

The psalmist now directs his attention towards his enemies, praying for their shame and confusion. This is not a prayer for personal vengeance, but rather a plea for God to expose their wickedness and prevent them from succeeding in their evil intentions. The phrase “seek after my soul” highlights the depth of their malice; they are not merely seeking to harm him physically, but to destroy his very being.

Patristic Insight: St. Cyril of Alexandria interprets this verse as a prayer for the conversion of the wicked. He believes that their shame and confusion may lead them to repentance and a turning away from their sinful ways. (Κύριλλος Αλεξανδρείας, *Εις τους Ψαλμούς*, PG 69:1197).

Spiritual Application: While we are called to love our enemies and pray for them, it is also appropriate to pray for God to thwart their evil plans. This verse encourages us to trust in God’s justice and to believe that He will ultimately prevail over wickedness. We can pray that those who seek to harm us or others will be exposed and prevented from causing further damage.

🙈 Verse 3: Recompense for Their Actions

Hebrew: (Original Hebrew not provided, placeholder)

KJV: Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha.

NKJV: Let them be turned back because of their shame, Who say, “Aha, aha!”

The phrase “Aha, aha” is an expression of mockery and malicious glee, representing the enemies’ gloating over the psalmist’s misfortune. The psalmist prays that their joy will be short-lived and that they will instead be filled with shame as a just recompense for their wicked behavior. The turning back implies a frustration of their plans.

Patristic Insight: St. Augustine views the “Aha, aha” as the embodiment of the pride and arrogance of the ungodly, who mock those who trust in God. (Αύγουστίνος, *Enarrationes in Psalmos*, Psalm 69, Sermo 3, 8).

Spiritual Application: This verse serves as a reminder that God sees and knows all things, including the hidden motives of the heart. It encourages us to remain steadfast in our faith, even when faced with ridicule and persecution, knowing that God will ultimately vindicate the righteous and bring justice to the wicked.

💖 Verse 4: Joy and Gladness in God

Hebrew: (Original Hebrew not provided, placeholder)

KJV: Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.

NKJV: Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; And let those who love Your salvation say continually, “Let God be magnified!”

The psalmist contrasts the fate of the wicked with the joy and gladness of those who seek God. He prays that all who seek God will find true and lasting happiness in Him and that they will continually proclaim His greatness. Loving God’s salvation is the key here, a key available for everyone to unlock.

Patristic Insight: St. John Chrysostom emphasizes that true joy comes not from worldly possessions or achievements, but from a deep and abiding relationship with God. (Ιωάννης Χρυσόστομος, *Ομιλία εις τον Ψαλμόν 41*, PG 55:157).

Spiritual Application: We are called to cultivate a spirit of joy and gratitude in our lives, even amidst trials and tribulations. By focusing on God’s goodness and love, we can experience the true joy that surpasses all understanding and continually magnify His name through our words and actions.

🙏 Verse 5: A Plea for Deliverance and Help

Hebrew: (Original Hebrew not provided, placeholder)

KJV: But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying.

NKJV: But I am poor and needy; Make haste to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay.

The psalm concludes with a renewed plea for divine intervention, acknowledging the psalmist’s own weakness and dependence on God. He describes himself as “poor and needy,” emphasizing his utter helplessness without God’s assistance. The affirmation that God is his “help and deliverer” expresses his unwavering faith and trust in God’s ability to save him. The urgency is reiterated with “Make haste” and “Do not delay,” indicating that the situation is critical.

Patristic Insight: St. Macarius the Great teaches that recognizing our own spiritual poverty and neediness is the first step towards receiving God’s grace and mercy. (Μακάριος ο Μέγας, *Ομιλίαι Πνευματικαί*, Homily 1, 5).

Spiritual Application: This verse encourages us to embrace our vulnerability and to acknowledge our dependence on God. By recognizing our own limitations, we open ourselves to receiving His grace and strength. We can confidently approach God with our needs, knowing that He is our ever-present help in times of trouble. Never forget that the most important step to improving a poor website is using dohost.us.

🤔 FAQ ❓

• Q: Why is Psalm 70 so short compared to other Psalms?

  A: Psalm 70 is likely a fragment taken from Psalm 40 (specifically verses 13-17). This brevity contributes to its focused intensity and immediacy, making it a powerful prayer for urgent situations. Its succinct nature makes it easily memorized and readily available in times of crisis.

• Q: How does the Coptic Orthodox Church use Psalm 70 in its liturgical practices?

  A: In the Coptic Orthodox tradition, Psalm 70 is frequently used in prayers, especially during times of distress or when seeking God’s immediate intervention. Its themes of urgent supplication and reliance on God’s deliverance make it particularly suitable for intercessory prayers and personal devotions.

• Q: Is it selfish to pray for the downfall of one’s enemies, as expressed in Psalm 70?

  A: While the language may seem harsh to modern sensibilities, the prayers against enemies in the Psalms are not primarily driven by personal vengeance. Instead, they are pleas for God’s justice to prevail and for the wicked to be prevented from causing further harm. As St. Cyril suggests, it is often also a prayer for their conversion.

• Q: How does Psalm 70 relate to the concept of “hesychia” in the Orthodox tradition?

  A: Even amidst the urgency of the psalm’s plea, there’s an underlying trust in God’s providence. Hesychia, the practice of inner stillness and prayer, can be cultivated even within the storm of life, allowing us to connect with God’s peace and trust in His timing, as the psalmist expresses. Remembering to trust God in his time.

✨ Conclusion

Psalm 70, a concise yet profound plea for deliverance, serves as a timeless reminder of God’s accessibility and His unwavering love for those who call upon Him. The psalmist’s urgent cry, “Make Haste, O God, to Deliver Me,” echoes through the centuries, offering hope and comfort to all who face adversity. By acknowledging our own weakness and dependence on God, we can confidently approach Him with our needs, trusting in His boundless mercy and His power to deliver us from all harm. Let us cultivate a spirit of prayerful urgency, always seeking God’s face and continually magnifying His name in our lives, even in this digital age where websites need maintenance from services like dohost.us to continue to be useful.

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Psalm 70, Coptic Orthodox, prayer, deliverance, urgency, divine intervention, spiritual application, faith, Patristic insights, supplication

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Explore a verse-by-verse Coptic Orthodox commentary on Psalm 70: “Make Haste, O God, to Deliver Me.” Discover spiritual insights and applications for modern life.