What Can I Say

Psalm 70

Let them be confounded and put to shame, that seek my soul: let them be turned backward and put to rebuke, that desire mine hurt.

Psalms 70:2 GNV

But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies: do well to them which hate you.

Luke 6:27 GNV

Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame, which said, Aha, aha.

Psalms 70:3 GNV

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them: for they know not what they doing.

Luke 23:34 GNV

Psalm 70 is from David who the Lord called a man after God's own heart. The quotes from Luke are what Jesus taught and what He did. So when asking, would Jesus use this Psalm as a prayer it appears to contradict what Jesus taught. This conflict becomes even more of a challenge when we remember of these authors of the Word of God:

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Ghost.

2 Peter 1:21 GNV

So what David wrote was not only from a man after God's own heart, but was moved by the Holy Spirit to speak these words for Psalm 70 to be written.

Some might say it's "Old Testament and Israel nationalism" versus a New Testament all inclusitivity. But there was a time when Jesus gave an answer to the high priest.

The high Priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world: I ever taught in the Synagogue and in the Temple, whither the Jews resort continually, and in secret have I said nothing. Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me what I said unto them: behold, they know what I said. When he had spoken these things, one of the officers which stood by, smote Jesus with his rod, saying, Answerest thou the high Priest so? Jesus answered him, If I have evil spoken, bear witness of the evil: but if I have well spoken, why smitest thou me?

John 18:19 - 23 GNV

In Psalm 70 there are no hints of the specific incident that David encountered from which he might be in this state of mind. When David spoke of enemies he either spoke of other Israelites or of neighboring nations. Which it was isn't apparent here either. Looking at the answer Jesus gave to the high Priest was one of actually inviting to have other witnesses some of who might have even been present. The officer there thought it rude and disrespectful. Thinking of this it may not be unlike how some might think speaking to a pastor in a church today would be rude and disrespectful, however Jesus knew it to be a fair answer even as it would be today Jewish law stood against self incrimination by requiring two or three witnesses.

But David asked for shame and rebuke to those who sought his soul wanting him to be hurt. While Jesus didn't request shame or rebuke in His response the officer certainly saw it as both. This reminds me of another real action that within itself brought shame and rebuke to others.

By faith Noah being warned of God of the things which were as yet not seen, moved with reverence, prepared the Ark to the saving of his household, through the which Ark he condemned the world, and was made heir of the righteousnes, which is by faith.

Hebrews 11:7 GNV

Noah's intent was never to condemn the world, especially since he is called a preacher of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5). What he did do by obeying God and building the Ark still accomplished that condemnation. David writing this psalm from a man's point of view desired that shame and rebuke for whoever those people were. Jesus accomplished both in His words to the high Priest.

Reading through Proverbs there is positive value in rightly directed shame and rebuke. Reading through the gospel accounts about Jesus and also elsewhere in the New Testament that value remains the same. Would Jesus have prayed this psalm as a prayer, speaking directly to His Father even about the encounter He was to have with the high Priest, His desire for even the high Priest to repent? It would seem possible. And if I am to be like Jesus in His example, what can I say?