Psalms – Chapter 70

Old Testament24 Verses

Chapter Summary

Psalms 70 opens with the words: "A psalm for David. Of the sons of Jonadab, and the former captives. In thee, O Lord, I have hoped, let me never be put to confusion:" David stands at the center of this chapter. Across its 24 verses, two threads run through the text: justice and care for the poor and God's protection and deliverance. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1A psalm for David. Of the sons of Jonadab, and the former captives. In thee, O Lord, I have hoped, let me never be put to confusion:

2Deliver me in thy justice, and rescue me. Incline thy ear unto me, and save me.

3Be thou unto me a God, a protector, and a place of strength: that thou mayst make me safe. For thou art my firmament and my refuge.

4Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the sinner, and out of the hand of the transgressor of the law and of the unjust.

5For thou art my patience, O Lord: my hope, O Lord, from my youth.

6By thee have I been confirmed from the womb: from my mother's womb thou art my protector. Of thee I shall continually sing:

7I am become unto many as a wonder, but thou art a strong helper.

8Let my mouth be filled with praise, that I may sing thy glory; thy greatness all the day long.

9Cast me not off in the time of old age: when my strength shall fail, do not thou forsake me.

10For my enemies have spoken against me; and they that watched my soul have consulted together,

11Saying: God hath forsaken him: pursue and take him, for there is none to deliver him.

12O God, be not thou far from me: O my God, make haste to my help.

13Let them be confounded and come to nothing that detract my soul; let them be covered with confusion and blame that seek my hurt.

14But I will always hope; and will add to all thy praise.

15My mouth shall shew forth thy justice; thy salvation all the day long. Because I have not known learning,

16I will enter into the powers of the Lord: O Lord, I will be mindful of thy justice alone.

17Thou hast taught me, O God, from my youth: and till now I will declare thy wonderful works.

18And unto old age and grey hairs: O God, forsake me not, Until I shew forth thy arm to all the generation that is to come: Thy power,

19And thy justice, O God, even to the highest great things thou hast done: O God, who is like to thee?

20How great troubles hast thou shewn me, many and grievous: and turning thou hast brought me to life, and hast brought me back again from the depths of the earth:

21Thou hast multiplied thy magnificence; and turning to me thou hast comforted me.

22For I will also confess to thee thy truth with the instruments of psaltery: O God, I will sing to thee with the harp, thou holy one of Israel.

23My lips shall greatly rejoice, when I shall sing to thee; and my soul which thou hast redeemed.

24Yea and my tongue shall meditate on thy justice all the day; when they shall be confounded and put to shame that seek evils to me.

Important Verses in Psalms 70

A psalm for David. Of the sons of Jonadab, and the former captives. In thee, O Lord, I have hoped, let me never be put to confusion:

Psalms 70:1

For thou art my patience, O Lord: my hope, O Lord, from my youth.

Psalms 70:5

My mouth shall shew forth thy justice; thy salvation all the day long. Because I have not known learning,

Psalms 70:15

For I will also confess to thee thy truth with the instruments of psaltery: O God, I will sing to thee with the harp, thou holy one of Israel.

Psalms 70:22

Historical Context

Psalms belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for god's people at prayer in every age. Chapter 70 of 150 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a liturgical poem composed for Temple worship and personal prayer with 24 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. David appear at the center of the events recorded here. It opens with the line: "A psalm for David. Of the sons of Jonadab, and the former captives. In thee, O Lord, I have hoped, let me never be put…" The chapter ends with: "Yea and my tongue shall meditate on thy justice all the day; when they shall be confounded and put to shame that seek…" The wider setting of Psalms is this: The 150 Psalms are the inspired prayer book of Israel and of the Church, spanning every human emotion—praise, lament, thanksgiving, repentance, and hope. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile.

Who Wrote It

David is credited with many psalms; others by Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and anonymous psalmists

When It Was Written

Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile

Catholic Commentary

This psalm is a prayer-poem that Israel sang in Temple worship and private devotion. A pivotal line is verse 1: "A psalm for David. Of the sons of Jonadab, and the former captives. In thee, O Lord, I have hoped, let me never be put to confusion:" The passage repeatedly touches on justice and care for the poor.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 2559). Here, the Psalms are the prayer book of the Church, prayed daily in the Liturgy of the Hours (CIC 2585-2589). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize justice and care for the poor as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.
  • The Lord is a refuge and deliverer for all who call upon Him in trouble.
  • Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.

People in This Chapter

David1 mention

Reflection for Today

As Catholics read Psalms Chapter 70, we do so within the living Tradition that has guarded this text for two millennia.

The saints did not treat Scripture as antiquarian literature. St. Teresa of Avila, St. Francis de Sales, and countless others used passages such as this to fuel daily conversion. the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love remains a practical lesson for modern disciples.

If this passage raises questions, seek the Church's teaching through the Catechism, a faithful priest, or sound Catholic commentaries. Private interpretation must remain in harmony with the Magisterium (CIC 2772).

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Psalms Chapter 70 about?

Psalms 70 contains 24 verses. It opens with "A psalm for David. Of the sons of Jonadab, and the former captives. In thee, O Lord, I have hoped, let me never be put…" and closes with "Yea and my tongue shall meditate on thy justice all the day; when they shall be confounded and put to shame that seek…". The book as a whole is liturgical poetry and prayer.

What is a key verse in Psalms 70?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "A psalm for David. Of the sons of Jonadab, and the former captives. In thee, O Lord, I have hoped, let me never be put to confusion:" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Psalms Chapter 70?

This chapter mentions David.

Who wrote Psalms and when?

David is credited with many psalms; others by Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and anonymous psalmists. Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile.

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