Psalms 70:3-5

70:3 May those who say, “Aha! Aha!”

be driven back and disgraced!

70:4 May all those who seek you be happy and rejoice in you!

May those who love to experience your deliverance say continually,

“May God be praised!”

70:5 I am oppressed and needy!

O God, hurry to me!

You are my helper and my deliverer!

O Lord, do not delay!


tn The prefixed verbal form is understood as a jussive in this imprecation.

tn Heb “May they be turned back according to their shame, those who say, ‘Aha! Aha!’” Ps 40:15 has the verb “humiliated” instead of “turned back” and adds “to me” after “say.”

tn Heb “those who love,” which stands metonymically for its cause, the experience of being delivered by God.

tn The three prefixed verbal forms prior to the quotation are understood as jussives. The psalmist balances out his imprecation against his enemies with a prayer of blessing on the godly.

tn Ps 40:16 uses the divine name “Lord” here instead of “God.”

tn The prefixed verbal form is taken as a jussive, “may the Lord be magnified [in praise].” Another option is to take the verb as an imperfect, “the Lord is great.” See Ps 35:27.

sn See Pss 35:10; 37:14.

tn Ps 40:17 has “may the Lord pay attention to me.”

tn Ps 40:17 has “my God” instead of “Lord.”