Psalm 70:4 (ESV) … “May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!”
The psalmist gives some requirements for the godly. They are not to act like the ungodly.
1. The Pleasure Requirement (Psalm 70:4)
The godly are not to be “sad sacks” but are to be happy and rejoicing. They are to be upbeat in life.
The attitude of pleasure. “Rejoice … be glad” (Psalm 70:4). This is a happy disposition. Paul exhorted the Philippian believers to also “Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4) in spite of their suffering.
The area of pleasure. “In thee” (Psalm 70:4). This is why the godly can rejoice even though they may be in dire circumstances in this life. The Apostle Paul also speaks this way in his exhortation to “rejoice” for he said, “Rejoice “in the Lord” (Philippians 4:4). The psalmist pleads with God for revival so “that thy people may rejoice in thee” (Psalm 85:6). To rejoice in the Lord means to rejoice in spiritual matters. This involves chiefly our soul salvation (Isaiah 61:10). Rejoicing in the Lord means to rejoice in the character, works, and power of God (evolution will horrify the soul and take away true joy). The benefit of rejoicing in the Lord is very great and tells why the psalmist says to rejoice in the Lord during a time of trial. Rejoicing in the Lord gives strength (Nehemiah 8:10), hope (Habakkuk 3:17, 18), inspiration for service (2 Corinthians 8:2), and victory over persecution (Hebrews 10:34; Acts 16). It is a great witness for Christ (Acts 5:41, 42), and it increases our faith (Psalm 64:10).
2. The Piety Requirement (Psalm 70:4)
The godly man is to show some piety/consecration to the Lord.
Seeking of God. “Seek” (Psalm 70:4). This involves interest in the things of God. Such a person will seek the Lord through the study of the Scriptures, through supplication, and through service. Christ spoke of the priority of seeking God when He said. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33).
Sentiment for God. “Love thy salvation” (Psalm 70:4). This is devotion to the Lord (here called “thy salvation”) and affection for the Lord. We see little affection for the Lord today even among those who claim to be Christian. We hear a lot of talk about love, but very little love is demonstrated for the Lord.
3. The Praise Requirement (Psalm 70:4)
The godly person is one who should be praising God.
The Person to praise. “Let God be magnified” (Psalm 70:4). The person to be praised is God. Yet we praise men long before we praise God, and in many places in our land, it is not even permitted to praise God.
The period to praise. “Continually” (Psalm 70:4). Praising God is not a temporary act but one that should characterize our entire life. Everything we do should bring honor to Him (1 Corinthians 10:31).
The practice in praise. “Magnified” (Psalm 70:4). The word translated “magnified” means to make great. The godly are to praise God in such a way that God becomes great in the eyes of people. We must put Him in big bold headlines that will show people that God is great, important, majestic, and mighty. [1]
