1Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O Lord.
2Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt.
3Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha.
4Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.
5But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O Lord, make no tarrying.
📖 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.