Psalms 38:22
Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Psalms 40:13Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.Psalms 27:1The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?Isaiah 12:2Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.Psalms 40:17But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.Psalms 70:5But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying.Psalms 71:12O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.Psalms 62:6He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.Psalms 141:1LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.Psalms 62:2He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.Psalms 70:1Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O LORD.
Historical Context
Israelite worship welcomed lament as legitimate prayer. Unlike pagan religions demanding stoic acceptance, YHWH invites the afflicted to cry out urgently. The Psalter includes more laments than any other genre, validating human suffering while directing it toward divine help.
Questions for Reflection
- How comfortable are you praying with urgent, desperate language like "make haste"?
- What does it mean practically to confess God as "my salvation" rather than merely "a savior"?
- How does ending with confident confession reframe the entire lament and transform perspective?
Analysis & Commentary
Make haste to help me (חוּשָׁה לְעֶזְרָתִי, chushah le-ezrati)—Chush means hurry, hasten; ezrah is help, aid. The imperative expresses desperate urgency. O Lord my salvation (אֲדֹנָי תְּשׁוּעָתִי, Adonai teshu'ati)—Adonai (Lord, Master) with teshu'ah (salvation) in possessive form: "my salvation" is not abstract but a Person.
This moves from pleading ("forsake not," v. 21) to confident confession. Despite feeling forsaken, David knows God's character. The urgency reflects human desperation; the title reflects theological conviction. This tension characterizes biblical lament—honest emotion submitted to revealed truth. For Christians, "Lord my salvation" points to Christ himself (Luke 2:30, Acts 4:12).