Salmos 70
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Salmos 70
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS Notice the Qal IMPERATIVE "hasten" (BDB 301, KB 300) opens (cf. Ps. 70:1b) and closes (cf. Ps. 70:5b) the Psalm (i.e., inclusio). This VERB is repeated in Psalm 22:19; 38:22; 40:13,17; 71:12. Notice the number of IMPERFECTS used as JUSSIVES (note the parallelism). Negative let those be ashamed, Ps. 70:2a – BDB 101, KB 116, Qal IMPERFECT, cf. Ps. 35:4; 83:17 let those be humiliated, Ps. 70:2a – BDB 344, KB 340, Qal IMPERFECT, cf. Ps. 40:14 let those be turned back, Ps. 70:2c – BDB 690, KB 744, Niphal IMPERFECT let those be dishonored, Ps. 70:2c – BDB 483, KB 480, Niphal IMPERFECT let those be turned back, Ps. 70:3a – BDB 996, KB 1427, Qal IMPERFECT Positive let all who seek You rejoice, Ps. 70:4 – BDB 965, KB 1314, Qal IMPERFECT let all who seek You be glad, Ps. 70:4 – BDB 970, KB 1333, Qal IMPERFECT let those who love Your salvation say. . .," Ps. 70:4b – BDB 55, KB 65, Qal IMPERFECT God be magnified, Ps. 70:4c – BDB 152, KB 178, Qal IMPERFECT do not delay, Ps. 70:5d – BDB 28, KB 34, Piel IMPERFECT Notice the wonderful synonymous parallelism of the Psalm. SPECIAL TOPIC: HEBREW POETLRY This Psalm is repeated with some differences in Psalm 40:13-17, except for Ps. 70:3a. Psalm 70:3, "turn back" (BDB 690 I) Psalm 40:15, "appalled" (BDB 1030) Remember, moderns do not know the when, who, or how of the transmission of OT books. There were obviously editors and compilers involved over a long period of time. We assume that these were as inspired as the original author. SPECIAL TOPIC: INSPIRATION
Salmos 70:1-3
70:1 The NASB assumes the Qal IMPERATIVE is used twice (cf. Ps. 22:19; 38:22; 40:13; 71:12; 141:1) and has parallel OBJECTS (cf. Ps. 70:5). deliver me help me Also notice that God (Elohim) is parallel to Lord (YHWH), as they are in verse 5. SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, C., D. 70:2 "Let. . ." This is the English way to denote the JUSSIVE OF REQUEST. See Contextual Insights, B. ▣ "seek" This VERBAL (BDB 134, KB 152, Piel PARTICIPLE) occurs in Ps. 70:2 and 4. It describes two kinds of people. those who seek to kill or hurt others to get their way (cf. Ps. 37:32; 71:13,24) those who seek God (cf. Ps. 24:6; 27:8; 40:16; 69:6; 70:4) 70:2-3 "Who. . ." Those who oppose the psalmist are characterized in three parallel phrases. who seek my life (lit. nephesh; see SPECIAL TOPIC: NEPHESH) who delight in my hurt who say, "Aha, aha" This denotes a common OT literary technique called "reversal." What they wished to happen to the godly psalmist, happens to them! 70:3 "shame" See SPECIAL TOPIC: SHAME ▣ NASB, NKJV, NJB, JPSOA, NRSV, Peshitta "Aha, aha!" "Hurrah" "make fun of me" "Good, good!" This Hebrew INTERROGATIVE (BDB 210) usually denotes satisfaction over an enemy's misfortune (cf. Ps. 35:21,25; 40:15; Ezek. 25:3; 26:2; 36:2).
Salmos 70:4-5
70:4 "seek You" This is an OT idiom for a personal faith relationship with God characterized by temple worship (see SPECIAL TOPIC: WORSHIP) covenant obedience The last line of Ps. 70:4 may be temple liturgy. See note at v. 2. ▣ "love" This word for "love" (BDB 12, KB 17, Qal PARTICIPLE) is one of several Hebrew words translated in the LXX by agapeō. SPECIAL TOPIC: LOVE ▣ "salvation" See SPECIAL TOPIC: SALVATION (OT) ▣ NASB, NKJV, Peshitta, LXX "Let God be magnified" NJB, NRSV "God is great" "All glory to God!" "Extolled be God!" "How great is God!" The MT has "God (Elohim) is great." The VERB (BDB 152, KB 178) is a Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense. This is a recognition of YHWH's self ‒ 2 Sam. 7:22; Ps. 35:27; 40:16; 104:1; Mal. 1:5 name ‒ 2 Sam. 7:25 Messiah ‒ Micah 5:4 70:5 Notice that the two concepts of "deliver" and "help" of Ps. 70:1 are repeated (different but synonymous VERB for "deliver"). ▣ "I am afflicted and needy" The psalmist characterizes his own perceived situation. God is great (Ps. 70:4) but he is hurting. He entreats God to come to his aid quickly. Both of the most common names for Israel's Deity appear in this verse. They are in one sense synonymous, but have unique aspects. SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, C., D.