Ducking Down – Psalm 70

A text – Psalm 70

70:1 Be pleased, O God, to deliver me. O LORD, make haste to help me!
70:2 Let those be put to shame and confusion who seek my life. Let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who desire to hurt me.
70:3 Let those who say, “Aha, Aha!” turn back because of their shame.
70:4 Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!”
70:5 But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay!

A reflection:

This very short psalm seems to be sung almost while someone in trouble is hiding in a corner:

• He is hiding, ducking down, knowing someone is after him, and he knows he needs to be rescued.
• He knows he has a powerful God who can send someone to save him.
• He also really wants the bad guys to be put to shame for coming after him.
• He knows the Lord’s power, and he knows that anyone who relies on the Lord’s rescue will be saved.
• And, just as he makes that confident claim about God, he remembers the fix he is in, and once again he ducks down and whispers for help.

Although I have been in trouble in my lifetime, I cannot recall being in a position like this one. But I can picture it. And I know the faith of this psalmist. It is a deep faith and a certainty about the goodness and reliability of God. But there is also a streak of “and God will surely get back at my enemies for this!” in his pleading for rescue. He shows faith, vengeance, honor for God, humility, and fear all in a moment.

I like him. And I think God did rescue him. But not to do justice for him and avenge his enemies. I think God rescued him because God realized he was weak and admitted his need for God. It was his humility that got God’s attention. God loves the poor and the lost and the needy. Thank God for that.

A prayer:

Lord God, Thank you for loving us. Thank you for your love of those who get into trouble and call on you for help. Help us to rely on you more. Help us to know that we can never do it alone, and that we need you and one another to survive and thrive.  Amen.