Psalm 71:12

Psalm 71:12, in plain English

You're coming back to the core request: God, don't be distant, and don't be slow—come quickly and help me.

Why it's here

After naming all the threats and hearing the cruel words of enemies, the psalmist returns to the simplest, most urgent prayer: 'Where are You? Hurry.'

Who's speaking

The same person, stripped down to raw need.

Where it sits in the story

This mirrors Jesus's prayer in Gethsemane and on the cross. Sometimes faith means admitting that God feels far away and asking Him to come close.

The scholarly reading

The psalmist urgently appeals to God not to remain distant and to respond quickly—his situation is acute and requires immediate divine intervention.

Language and setting

The verb 'hurry' (חוּשׁ, chush) implies emergency; this is not a general petition but an acute crisis demanding accelerated response. The chiastic structure ('do not be far' / 'hurry to help') creates intense urgency through repetition of the plea for presence and speed, common in lament psalms when the situation has deteriorated.

Voice

The elderly plaintiff, now pressing with desperate intensity, as though God's distance might be overcome by the force of his pleading.

Significance

This desperation recurs in Gethsemane ('My soul is overwhelmed,' Mark 14:34) and structures the Psalms of Lament tradition. The medieval mystics debated whether such urgent demanding of God showed proper humility; Calvin argued it demonstrated the authenticity of desperate faith.

10For my enemies speak against me, and those who lie in wait for my life conspire,

11saying, “God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for there is no one to rescue him.”

12Be not far from me, O God. Hurry, O my God, to help me.

13May the accusers of my soul be ashamed and consumed; may those who seek my harm be covered with scorn and disgrace.

14But I will always hope and will praise You more and more.

Read all of Psalm 71 — From youth to gray hairs, the psalmist has known God's faithfulness. Now aging and weak, he asks: do not forsake me when my strength is spent.