And “LORD” is the personal name of God revealed to Moses at the burning bush: YHWH. It’s something I say to someone on whom I have a claim. But in the second line, with “O LORD, make haste to help me,” the psalmist gets personal. I need help, and I turn to someone who has power. “God, come to my assistance” almost sounds formal. It’s the name used in Genesis 1:1 of the Creator and Lord of the universe. The first line reads, “O God, come to my assistance.” “God” here in Hebrew is Elohim. For those who call constantly on their protector are sure of having him always at hand.” ( Read the whole thing here.)Īs is typical of Hebrew poetry, this verse gives us one thought in two parallel ways in order to deepen the meaning. It contains an invocation of God against every danger, it contains humble and pious confession, it contains the watchfulness of anxiety and continual fear, it contains the thought of one’s own weakness, confidence in the answer, and the assurance of a present and ever ready help. it embraces all the feelings which can be implanted in human nature, and can be fitly and satisfactorily adapted to every condition, and all assaults. “And so for keeping up continual recollection of God this pious formula is to be ever set before you. No wonder these words are the starting point of prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours, whether they lead into praise or a prayer for help.* “O God, come to my assistance O LORD, make haste to help me!” is a password of sorts, an “Open, Sesame!” that opens a door into the presence of God and places us at his feet. As a prayer, it expresses complete dependence on God and trust in his providence for our needs. To say it with meaning, one must become empty. The early desert fathers repeated that verse throughout the day as a way to pray constantly. But those words are far more than a cry for help. It comes from Psalm 70, where it is a strong cry for rescue. Who hasn’t prayed this, or something like it, at some time in their life?
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