Christian prayer
Psalm 70
Psalm 70 from the Bible, with the original text and its meaning.
- 5 verses
- Under a minute to recite
- From the Bible
- 1
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.
- 2
Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt.
- 3
Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha.
- 4
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.
- 5
But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying.
The Hebrew original
1 לַ֝מְנַצֵּ֗חַ לְדָוִ֥ד לְהַזְכִּֽיר׃
2 אֱלֹהִ֥ים לְהַצִּילֵ֑נִי יְ֝הוָ֗ה לְעֶזְרָ֥תִי חֽוּשָֽׁה׃
3 יֵבֹ֣שׁוּ וְיַחְפְּרוּ֮ מְבַקְשֵׁ֪י נַ֫פְשִׁ֥י יִסֹּ֣גוּ אָ֭חוֹר וְיִכָּלְמ֑וּ חֲ֝פֵצֵ֗י רָעָתִֽי׃
4 יָ֭שׁוּבוּ עַל־עֵ֣קֶב בָּשְׁתָּ֑ם הָ֝אֹמְרִ֗ים הֶ֘אָ֥ח ׀ הֶאָֽח׃
5 יָ֘שִׂ֤ישׂוּ וְיִשְׂמְח֨וּ ׀ בְּךָ֗ כָּֽל־מְבַ֫קְשֶׁ֥יךָ וְיֹאמְר֣וּ תָ֭מִיד יִגְדַּ֣ל אֱלֹהִ֑ים אֹ֝הֲבֵ֗י יְשׁוּעָתֶֽךָ׃
6 וַאֲנִ֤י ׀ עָנִ֣י וְאֶבְיוֹן֮ אֱלֹהִ֪ים חֽוּשָׁ֫ה־לִּ֥י עֶזְרִ֣י וּמְפַלְטִ֣י אַ֑תָּה יְ֝הוָ֗ה אַל־תְּאַחַֽר׃
Wording: The Holy Bible, King James Version, 1611 (standard text of 1769). Copied word for word from the edition named here
Free to read, copy and print. No sign-in.
When it is prayed
Many Christians recite Psalm 70 when they feel overwhelmed, threatened or in urgent need of help. It can also be used in personal prayer or communal worship as an expression of dependence on God. In the Christian tradition, its opening plea is also used to begin some daily prayer services.
Where it comes from
Psalm 70 comes from the Book of Psalms in the Bible, and its heading associates it with David. Its words closely resemble the closing passage of Psalm 40. It brings an urgent appeal for rescue together with praise for God.
The Library of Alexandria
Every prayer, and the books they come from
Unlimited eBooks, audiobooks and 15-minute summaries, and printed books at cost price: paperback, hardcover and large print. 5 accounts for the price of one, in 25 languages. Free to start.
- The scriptures, saints and mystics of every faith
- 5 accounts for the price of one, for your whole household
- Paperback, hardcover and large print, at the cost of printing
Free to start. Renews every year. Cancel anytime.
Related prayers and texts
- ChristianPsalm 91A biblical psalm of trust in God’s shelter and protection amid danger.
- ChristianPsalm 23A biblical psalm of trust in God, pictured as a caring shepherd and generous host.
- ChristianPsalm 121A biblical psalm of trust in God as the keeper of those who look to him for help.
- ChristianPsalm 35A biblical psalm asking God for protection, justice and deliverance from enemies.
Questions about Psalm 70
How long is Psalm 70?
Psalm 70 has 5 verses and takes under a minute to recite.
What does Psalm 70 mean?
It is a plea for God to come quickly to the aid of someone in distress. Alongside its appeal for rescue, it calls those who seek God to rejoice and praise him.
When should I pray Psalm 70?
Many Christians pray it in moments of fear, pressure or urgent need. It can also be included in regular daily prayer, without waiting for a crisis.
Who wrote Psalm 70?
The psalm's heading associates it with David. This is its traditional attribution, rather than certain proof of individual authorship.
