Prayer in a time of affliction. Linked with Ps 71; like Psalms 42 and 43, these may have originally been one Psalm.

v1: Dependence upon God to deliver, as in v5, "My help and my deliverer," for God is full of mercy.

In Ps 40, the psalmist waited patiently for God. Here the request is, "Hasten, O God"; see also Ps 71.12, and compare Ps 40.13-17.

v2-3: Personal integrity; those who "seek my life" are also God's enemies. This reflects God's identification with His own.

v4: Those who seek God love His salvation; there is a deep satisfaction in what He has done. Therefore we can rejoice and be glad. David was not alone in loving God, and we must never think that we are alone.

v5: Repeating the request of v1, "Come quickly...do not delay."