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.

PSALMS 70:1KJV
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Psalms 70:1 (KJV)

What does Psalms 70:1 mean?

Psalms 70:1 is a cry for urgent help, where David asks God to quickly deliver him and come to his aid. The verse shows David’s deep sense of need and his trust that God can rescue him without delay.

David is speaking directly to God, using both the general name for God (Elohim) and the personal name for the LORD (Yahweh). The heading notes that this psalm is meant “to bring to remembrance,” suggesting David is recalling a time of distress or reminding God of his promises. The verse sets a tone of desperation and faith, as David does not hesitate to plead for immediate intervention.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 70:1

  • הַזְכִּיר (hizkir, “remembrance”): This word points to the purpose of the psalm—to remind or call something to mind, either for David himself or before God. It adds a sense of recalling past troubles or promises.
  • אֱלֹהִים (Elohim, “God”): This is the general Hebrew word for God, emphasizing God’s power and authority.
  • יְהוָה (Yahweh, “LORD”): This is the personal name for God in the Hebrew Bible, highlighting a covenant relationship and intimacy in David’s plea.
  • חוּשָׁה (chushah, “make haste”): This word means to hurry or act quickly, stressing the urgency of David’s request for help.
  • עֶזְרָה (ezrah, “help”): This word refers to assistance or support, showing that David is looking for God’s active involvement in his situation.

Why Psalms 70:1 matters

  • Psalms 70:1 clarifies that it is not wrong to ask God for immediate help; the psalm models honest, urgent prayer in times of need.
  • The use of both Elohim and Yahweh shows that David appeals to both God’s power and his personal relationship with the LORD, which deepens the sense of trust.
  • The heading “to bring to remembrance” connects this psalm to other prayers for deliverance and reminds readers that it is normal to recall God’s faithfulness in past troubles.

Where else these words appear

“haste” Hebrew H2363 · used in 20 verses

  • Numbers 32:17 But we ourselves will go ready armed before the children of Israel, until we have brought them unto their place: and our little ones shall dwell in the fenced cities because of the inhabitants of the land.
  • Psalms 22:19 But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.
  • Psalms 119:60 I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.

“help” Hebrew H5833 · used in 25 verses

  • Judges 5:23 Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the LORD, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty.
  • Psalms 40:13 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.
  • Psalms 108:12 Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.

“Musician” Hebrew H5329 · used in 65 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 15:21 And Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps on the Sheminith to excel.
  • Psalms 22:1 To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
  • Psalms 60:1 To the chief Musician upon Shushaneduth, Michtam of David, to teach; when he strove with Aramnaharaim and with Aramzobah, when Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand. O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again.