Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me;
This phrase reflects a plea for divine intervention and deliverance. The psalmist, traditionally understood to be David, is expressing a deep reliance on God's willingness to save. The use of "be pleased" suggests a desire for God's favor and grace, emphasizing the relationship between the petitioner and the divine. In the historical context, David often faced numerous adversities, including threats from enemies and personal failures, which required God's deliverance. This plea can be seen as a type of Christ, who in the New Testament is portrayed as the ultimate deliverer, fulfilling the messianic hope of salvation. Theologically, this reflects the belief in God's sovereignty and readiness to rescue those who call upon Him.

hurry, O LORD, to help me.
The urgency in this request highlights the psalmist's desperate situation. The repetition of "O LORD" underscores the personal and covenantal relationship with God, invoking His name as a source of immediate aid. This urgency is mirrored in other biblical texts, such as Psalm 70:1, where similar language is used, indicating a common theme of seeking God's swift intervention. Historically, the psalmist's life was often marked by moments requiring quick divine action, whether in battle or personal crisis. Culturally, the ancient Near Eastern context often involved invoking deities for rapid assistance, but the psalmist's exclusive appeal to the LORD sets the Hebrew faith apart, emphasizing monotheism and trust in Yahweh alone. This plea for haste can also be seen as a foreshadowing of the New Testament's call for Christ's return, where believers seek the swift coming of their Savior.

1. David
Traditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 40, David is expressing a personal plea for God's intervention and deliverance.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal presence and faithfulness to His people.

3. Deliverance
The act of being rescued or set free, a central theme in David's plea for God's immediate intervention.

4. Help
The assistance or aid that David urgently seeks from God, highlighting his dependence on divine support.

5. Psalm 40
A psalm of lament and praise, where David transitions from recounting God's past faithfulness to seeking His present help.Urgency in Prayer
David's plea demonstrates the importance of bringing our urgent needs before God, trusting in His timely intervention.

Dependence on God
This verse highlights our need to rely on God for deliverance and help, acknowledging our limitations and His sovereignty.

God's Faithfulness
Reflect on God's past faithfulness as a foundation for trusting Him in present difficulties, as David does throughout the psalm.

Persistent Prayer
Encourage believers to persist in prayer, even when answers seem delayed, trusting in God's perfect timing and wisdom.

Confidence in God's Deliverance
Cultivate a confident expectation of God's deliverance, rooted in His character and promises.(13) Be pleased.--From this verse onwards, with some trifling variations which will be noticed under that psalm, this passage occurs as Psalms 70, where see Notes.

Verse 13. - Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver us. Though one deliverance is just effected (ver. 2), it is not enough; something more is required. The psalmist's life is still threatened by enemies (ver. 14); he is still scoffed at and flouted (ver. 15). O Lord, make haste to help me; literally, Lord, make haste to my help (comp. Psalm 22:19; Psalm 31:2; Psalm 38:22). The Church follows the example set, when she says in her versicles, "O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Be pleased,
רְצֵ֣ה (rə·ṣêh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 7521: To be pleased with, to satisfy a, debt

O LORD,
יְ֭הוָה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

to deliver me;
לְהַצִּילֵ֑נִי (lə·haṣ·ṣî·lê·nî)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5337: To strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away, deliver

hurry,
חֽוּשָׁה׃ (ḥū·šāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 2363: To hurry, to be eager with excitement, enjoyment

O LORD,
יְ֝הוָ֗ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

to help me.
לְעֶזְרָ֥תִי (lə·‘ez·rā·ṯî)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5833: Help, helper, assistance


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OT Poetry: Psalm 40:13 Be pleased Yahweh to deliver me (Psalm Ps Psa.)