Psalm 70

Order of Service

• Scripture Reading — Psalm 70
• Sermon
• Pastoral Prayer

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Sermon Title: Urgent Prayer and the Memorial of Grace

Scripture: Psalm 70

I. Psalm 70 as a Psalm of Urgent Plea

A. Psalm 70 is drawn almost entirely from Psalm 40:13–17, isolated to heighten the theme of urgency B. The Hebrew intensifies the language beyond the English: "God, to deliver me, Lord, to my help, hurry"

1. Four expressions of urgency in five verses
2. The image is of one nearly drowning, needing God to intervene immediately C. Martin Luther devoted ten pages to this psalm, calling it "the shield, spear and thunderbolt and defense against every attack of fear, presumption, and lukewarmness" D. This is the psalm of "arrow prayers" — prayers shot upward in moments too desperate for structured adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication

II. The Superscription: For the Memorial Offering

A. The psalm carries the same superscription found in Psalm 38: designated for the memorial offering B. The memorial offering is rooted in the Levitical sacrificial system (Leviticus 2:2)

1. A portion of grain, oil, and frankincense burned as a pleasing aroma to the Lord
2. A tangible symbol of the covenant relationship between God and his people
3. Demonstrated the offerer's neediness and total dependence on God C. David's closing words — "I am poor and needy" — fit the memorial offering perfectly D. The psalm was recited corporately and continually in temple worship, not only in private moments of crisis

III. The Psalter Is Not Only Personal but Corporate

A. We tend to approach the psalter as a "me and God" collection, selecting psalms by mood B. The psalter is meant to orient the heart both toward God and toward brothers and sisters in Christ

1. The one on the mountaintop is humbled by Psalm 70; the one in the valley is lifted up by psalms of praise
2. Singing together across different stations in life builds the unity of the body C. David's prayer in verse 4 — "May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you" — shows that even in desperation he prays for others D. Elijah's error in 1 Kings 19:10 — "I am the only one left" — is corrected by God in 1 Kings 19:18: 7,000 have not bowed to Baal
3. The despondent soul is never alone
4. We recite laments on behalf of those too broken to voice them

IV. The Memorial Offering Fulfilled in Christ

A. The memorial offering was instituted by God, not invented by the worshipper — God himself establishes the means of grace B. The Lord's Supper mirrors the memorial offering: a two-way remembrance

1. We eat and drink in remembrance of our helpless estate and Christ's provision
2. God confirms his grace, mercy, and love sealed in the blood of the new covenant C. Praying in the name of Jesus Christ brings our prayers before God through the sweet aroma of Christ's once-for-all sacrifice
3. Our stumbling, stammering prayers are made fragrant through the Son
4. We need not fear approaching God when we come through Christ D. Praying Psalm 70 is ultimately an eschatological cry — Maranatha: "Make haste, Lord, come quickly, Lord Jesus, come"
5. The early church's prayer echoes David's urgent plea
6. Our neediness drives us to long for Christ's return and the renewal of all things