1Memorial de Davi, para o regente: Livra-me Deus; apressa-te para me socorrer, SENHOR.
2Envergonhem-se, e sejam confundidos os que procuram [matar] a minha alma; voltem-se para trás, e sejam humilhados os que gostam de me fazer o mal.
3Virem-se para trás por causa de sua vergonha os que dizem: “Há, há!”
4Alegrem-se e fiquem contentes em ti todos aqueles que te buscam; aqueles que amam tua salvação digam continuamente: Engrandecido seja Deus!
5Eu, porém, estou miserável e necessitado; ó Deus, apressa-te a mim; tu [és] meu socorro e meu libertador; não demores, SENHOR.
📖 Chapter study
Summary
A brief and urgent plea for immediate help, almost identical to the final part of Psalm 40, in which David asks God to hasten to help him while his enemies are confounded and put to shame.
Explanation
This psalm is essentially a repetition of verses 13-17 of Psalm 40, suggesting that poetic fragments could circulate independently and be reused in different liturgical compositions — a practice documented in other ancient poetic cultures as well. The Hebrew word translated as 'make haste' appears with repeated urgency, reflecting a prayer for immediate rescue, without the lengthy theological developments of other psalms. Today's application: not every prayer needs to be long or elaborate — moments of urgency call for simplicity and clarity in asking for help.
Fun facts
- This psalm repeats almost word for word the final verses of Psalm 40 (13-17), being one of the clearest examples of the reuse of poetic material within the book of Psalms itself.
- Its extreme brevity (only 5 verses) makes it, along with Psalm 117, one of the shortest texts in the entire Psalter, and it is therefore often used as a quick prayer for help in moments of acute crisis.