Facing tough times

Hasten, O God, to save me;
O Lord, come quickly to help me. Psalm 70:1

The circumstances for this psalm must have been very dire. The psalmist needs help quickly for he is under attack and will soon lose his life.

May those who seek my life
be put to shame and confusion; Psalm 70:2

Here the psalm takes a surprising turn.

But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation always say,
“Let God be exalted!” Psalm 70:4

Always say: “Let God be exalted!” These are not as some magical words that will force God to intervene miraculously. These are words of worship that knock our troubles and circumstances out of preeminence in our life… and put God on the throne. Worship changes us, reassures us, moves our focus from what we are praying about to God.

The psalm ends with the troubles still bearing down.

Yet I am poor and needy;
come quickly to me, O God.
You are my help and my deliverer;
O Lord, do not delay. Psalm 70:5

What is different is the psalmist—“Let God be exalted” in me.