Chapter Seventy

This psalm has no author attribution in the Hebrew Bible. In the LXX and Vulgate, however, it is attributed to David, with the note “of the sons of Jonadab and the first exiles” (see the note in the Slavic Bible). The authenticity of the attribution to David rests on the borrowed material it contains from psalms belonging to David. Thus it resembles Psalms 21, 30, 34, 40, 68, and 108. Moreover, the entire content is nothing other than a detailed supplement to Ps 69, of which it forms the second half, much like the familiar Ps 1 and Ps 2, or Psalm 9, which is divided into two in the Hebrew Bible, and others. The circumstances of David’s life fully accord with the descriptions in the psalm of its author’s state, and the borrowings from the songs of the time of persecution by Absalom indicate that this psalm should also be dated to that period.

By the “sons of Jonadab” mentioned in the inscription, are meant the Rechabites (2 Sam 10:15; Jer 35:6-19), distinguished by their piety. They probably sang this psalm after the destruction and devastation of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. It was sung also by the first exiles, that is, the additional note in the LXX and Vulgate points to the time of particularly widespread use of this psalm, in which people found content that answered their mood.

Psalm 70:2. In Your righteousness deliver me and free me; incline Your ear to me and save me. Psalm 70:3. Be to me a firm refuge, where I might always find shelter; You have commanded to save me, for You are my fortress and my strength. Cf. Ps 30:2-4.

Psalm 70:5. For You are my hope, Lord my God, my confidence from my youth. Psalm 70:6. Upon You I have relied from the womb; You brought me forth from my mother’s womb; my praise shall not cease for You. Cf. Ps 21:11-12.

Psalm 70:10. For my enemies speak against me, and those who seek my life take counsel together, Psalm 70:11. Saying, “God has abandoned him; pursue and seize him, for there is no one to deliver him. Cf. Ps 40:6-9.

Psalm 70:16. I will enter into meditation on the mighty deeds of the Lord God; I will remember Your righteousness—only Yours. By “the mighty deeds of the Lord” are meant the miraculous acts of His help granted to David during his life, which was full of reversals and persecution by enemies.

Psalm 70:19. Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens; You have done great things; O God, who is like You? “Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens”—to the highest heavens, that is, immeasurably great; “righteousness”—justice, confidence in which sustained David during the numerous persecutions he endured from enemies.

Psalm 70:20. You have sent me many severe troubles, but again You have given me life, and again You have brought me up from the depths of the earth. Cf. Ps 68:17.

Psalm 70:22. And I will praise You on the harp for Your truth, my God; I will sing to You on the lyre, O Holy One of Israel! Cf. Ps 68:31.