Psalms 40:13
Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me: O Lord, make haste to help me.
Psalms 40:13 (KJV)
Context
Psalm 40 is a psalm of thanksgiving and trust, attributed to David. Earlier in the psalm, David recalls how God lifted him from a pit of destruction and set his feet on a rock. That memory of past faithfulness gives weight to his present cry. In this verse, David urgently asks the Lord to deliver him and to help him quickly.
Meaning
David begins with “Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me.” The word “pleased” shows that he wants more than rescue from trouble. He longs for God’s favorable attention and a restored relationship with Him. David humbles himself, admitting that only God’s power and mercy can save him. His plea is not a demand but a request that his prayer be acceptable to God.
The repetition of “O LORD” makes the appeal personal. David is not addressing a distant power but the covenant God who knows him. The phrase “make haste” reveals his urgency. He feels the pressure of his situation and asks God to act without delay. This is not a demand but a fervent plea from a heart that trusts God’s timing. The urgency reflects the intensity of his need and his confidence that God alone can provide timely help.
Biblical connections
This verse appears almost word for word in Psalm 70:1. That repetition shows how deeply this cry for help mattered to David. It became a prayer he returned to in times of need. The connection reminds us that urgent pleas for deliverance are a fitting part of faithful prayer. It also shows that God welcomes repeated cries from His people.
Application
Like David, we can bring our urgent needs to God with confidence. He is able and willing to help His people. We can also examine our hearts, confessing anything that hinders our relationship with Him, and ask for His favor along with His help. In times of trouble, we can cry out to God, knowing He hears and cares.
Trust in God’s deliverance, knowing He is our source of help and salvation.
Approach God with humility, acknowledging our dependence on Him.
Cry out to the Lord in urgent prayer, asking Him to make haste in coming to our aid.
Desire to please God, seeking a restored and acceptable relationship with Him.
Reflection
David’s prayer models a humble, urgent, and trusting heart. When trouble presses in, we can remember God’s past faithfulness and cry out to Him, confident that He hears and will answer in His perfect time. His plea combines humility, urgency, and trust in God’s character.
