King James Version

What Does Psalms 70:5 Mean?

Psalms 70:5 in the King James Version says “But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying.” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 70 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying.”

Psalms 70:5 · KJV

Context

3

Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha.

4

Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.

5

But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying. The psalm concludes by returning to urgent petition, bracketing the prayer with cries for God's quick intervention. 'Poor and needy' (ani ve'evyon, עָנִי וְאֶבְיוֹן) describes both material poverty and spiritual dependence—the psalmist has no resources of his own and depends entirely on God. This self-description echoes Jesus' beatitude: 'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven' (Matthew 5:3).

The repeated 'make haste' returns to verse 1's urgency. Between these bookend petitions, the psalm celebrated God's character (verses 2-4), but now returns to raw need. This pattern models healthy prayer—praising God's worthiness while honestly presenting our desperation. The titles 'my help and my deliverer' acknowledge God's past faithfulness while appealing for present intervention. The Hebrew ezri (עֶזְרִי, my help) and mefalti (מְפַלְטִי, my deliverer) are personal possessives—this isn't abstract theology but relationship: 'You are MY help, MY deliverer.'

The final plea—'make no tarrying' (al te'achar, אַל־תְּאַחַר, don't delay)—expresses the sufferer's perspective that God's timing feels slow. Yet from God's perspective, He is never late (2 Peter 3:9, 'The Lord is not slack concerning his promise'). For Christians, this tension between urgent need and divine timing requires faith. Jesus promised, 'Ask, and it shall be given you' (Matthew 7:7), yet also taught persistence in prayer (Luke 18:1-8). We pray with urgency while trusting God's perfect timing, knowing He answers at the right moment to maximize His glory and our good.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The language of 'poor and needy' had specific connotations in ancient Israel. The ani (poor) were economically disadvantaged, while evyon (needy) referred to those begging for help. Together, they described the most vulnerable members of society—those dependent on others' charity and God's protection. The Law commanded special care for these groups (Deuteronomy 15:11, Psalm 82:3-4), and the prophets condemned societies that oppressed them (Amos 2:6-7, Isaiah 3:14-15).

However, 'poor and needy' also became spiritual language—describing the humble who depend on God rather than self-sufficiency. The *anawim* (humble ones) in Second Temple Judaism were a movement of the pious poor who awaited God's Messiah (like Simeon and Anna in Luke 2:25-38). They recognized that spiritual poverty—acknowledging need for God—was prerequisite for receiving His kingdom. Jesus' ministry prioritized these: 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor' (Luke 4:18).

The psalmist's self-identification as 'poor and needy' was therefore both literal and spiritual. Materially, he lacked resources to escape his enemies. Spiritually, he recognized that salvation comes only from God, not human strength. This dual meaning continues in Christian theology—we are spiritually bankrupt without Christ (Romans 3:23, 'all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God'), yet enriched in Him (2 Corinthians 8:9, 'though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich'). Acknowledging our spiritual poverty opens us to receive God's riches in Christ.

Reflection Questions

  1. How comfortable are you acknowledging yourself as 'poor and needy' before God versus presenting self-sufficiency?
  2. What material or spiritual poverty do you experience that requires God to be your help and deliverer?
  3. How do you handle the tension between urgent prayer and God's timing that feels slow?
  4. In what ways has acknowledging spiritual poverty opened you to receive God's riches?
  5. How can you pray with both honesty about need and confidence in God's faithful timing?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וַאֲנִ֤י׀1 of 12
H589

i

עָנִ֣י2 of 12

“But I am poor”

H6041

depressed, in mind or circumstances

וְאֶבְיוֹן֮3 of 12

“and needy”

H34

destitute

אֱלֹהִ֪ים4 of 12

“unto me O God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

ח֫וּשָׁה5 of 12

“make haste”

H2363

to hurry; figuratively, to be eager with excitement or enjoyment

לִּ֥י6 of 12
H0
עֶזְרִ֣י7 of 12

“thou art my help”

H5828

aid

וּמְפַלְטִ֣י8 of 12

“and my deliverer”

H6403

to slip out, i.e., escape; causatively, to deliver

אַ֑תָּה9 of 12
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

יְ֝הוָ֗ה10 of 12

“O LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אַל11 of 12
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תְּאַחַֽר׃12 of 12

“make no tarrying”

H309

to loiter (i.e., be behind); by implication to procrastinate

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 70:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 70:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 40:17Psalms 141:1Revelation 22:20Hebrews 10:37Psalms 69:29Psalms 13:1-2

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