Psalms · Chapter 70
MAKE HASTE, O GOD, TO DELIVER ME; MAKE HASTE TO HELP ME, O LORD.
Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt.
Adam Clarke
Verse 2. Let them be turned backward] They are coming in a body against me. Lord, stop their progress!
Daniel Whedon
2. That seek after my soul— “To destroy it,” omitted. Turned backward—As a military phrase the words denote a complete repulse and overthrow of the enemy.
Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha.
Adam Clarke
Verse 3. That say, Aha, aha.] hah hah heach! heach! a note of supreme contempt. See on Psalm 40:15.
Daniel Whedon
3. Turned—A different and softer word than “turned” in verse 2, without the strengthening word “backward” attached, as there. But the same sense of military, or at least, judicial, defeat, or forcible turning back from their evil purpose, is intended. The scope, and the law of parallelism, require it, and the use of the word Psalm 6:10, justifies it. In Psalm 40:15, a stronger word is used, µmv, shamem, literally, to be struck dumb with amazement at the wasting judgment. Aha, Aha—The words express a taunting exultation over a fallen enemy, (Psalm 35:21; Ezekiel 25:3; 26:2; 36:2;) or contempt of an unconquered enemy, (Job 39:25;) or any shallow joy. Isaiah 44:16.
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.
Adam Clarke
Verse 4. Let God be magnified.] Let his glory, mercy, and kindness, continually appear in the increase of his own work in the souls of his followers!
Daniel Whedon
4. Let God be magnified—In Psalm 40, “Jehovah,” for Eloheem, (God,) here.
But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying.
Adam Clarke
Verse 5. But I am poor and needy] ואביונ yn[ ani veebyon, I am a poor man, and a beggar-an afflicted beggar; a sense of my poverty causes me to beg.
Thou art my help] I know thou hast enough, and to spare; and therefore I come to thee.
Make no tarrying.] My wants are many, my danger great, my time short. O God, delay not!
Daniel Whedon
5. But I am poor and needy—Compare Psalm 69:29. Make haste unto me, O God—For this Psalm 40:17 has, “Yet the Lord (Adonai) thinketh upon me.” O Lord, (Jehovah,) make no tarrying—For this Eloheem, God, is used Psalm 40:17.
We have traced the verbal variations of this psalm from its original, but for further notes, see Psalm 40:13-17.
Adam Clarke
Verse 1. Make haste to help me] I am in extreme distress, and the most imminent danger. Haste to help me, or I am lost.
Daniel Whedon
1. O God—For “O Jehovah,” Psalm 40:13. Make haste—The “Be pleased,” (Psalm 40:13,) left out.