Psalms 70 - Introduction

This psalm bears to the closing part of Psalms 40 (Psalms 40:13, see the notes in the Introduction to that psalm) a resemblance similar to that between Psalms 14:1 and Psalms 53:1. The one is not indeed a mere copy of the other, but the one is substantially the same as the other, with some slight variations, apparently introduced to fit it for some new occasion on which it was to be used. We do not know what the occasion in either case was; but it would seem that in this instance, the psalmist found, in the closing verses of the fortieth psalm, language which “very nearly” expressed what he felt on some particular occasion, and which might, by a slight change, be applied to the use for which it was then desired.

We have no further knowledge of the “occasion” on which this was done, than what is implied in the title: “to bring to remembrance.” For the meaning of this, see thenotes at the title to Psalms 38. It determines nothing, however, as to the reason why the closing part of Psalms 40 was selected as the subject of a separate psalm, or why the changes were made which here occur. It merely denotes that there were things which it was proper to preserve in the recollection; or principles which it was of importance for the people of God to remember.

It will be necessary, in considering the psalm, only to note, in each verse successively, the alterations which are made from Psalms 40.