Psalms 102:2

KJV

Hide not thy face from me in the day [when] I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day [when] I call answer me speedily.

KJV (with Strong's)

Hide {H5641} not thy face {H6440} from me in the day {H3117} when I am in trouble {H6862}; incline {H5186} thine ear {H241} unto me: in the day {H3117} when I call {H7121} answer {H6030} me speedily {H4118}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Don't hide your face from me when I am in such distress! Turn your ear toward me; when I call, be quick to reply!

Berean Standard Bible

Do not hide Your face from me in my day of distress. Incline Your ear to me; answer me quickly when I call.

American Standard Version

Hide not thy face from me in the day of my distress: Incline thine ear unto me; In the day when I call answer me speedily.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 102:2 is a profound and urgent lament from an individual overwhelmed by affliction, pleading with God for immediate divine attention and swift intervention. It captures the raw anguish of a soul in deep distress, expressing a fervent desire for God's revealed presence and responsive action rather than a perceived absence or indifference. This verse encapsulates the psalmist's desperate need for the Lord to "incline His ear" and "answer speedily," reflecting a foundational trust in God's capacity and willingness to deliver from trouble.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a foundational component of Psalm 102, which bears the poignant superscription, "A Prayer of the Afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD." As a lament psalm, it meticulously details personal suffering, often interwoven with broader communal distress, culminating in a fervent appeal for divine deliverance. The psalmist initiates with a direct and urgent plea in verses 1-2, subsequently elaborating on profound physical decay, social isolation, and a perceived sense of divine abandonment in verses 3-11. A pivotal shift occurs from verse 12 onward, where the focus expands to God's eternal nature and His future restoration of Zion, providing a hopeful counterpoint to the psalmist's personal despair. The psalm concludes by reiterating the psalmist's frailty but with a renewed confidence in God's enduring faithfulness (verses 23-28). Consequently, verse 2 functions as the immediate and direct opening appeal within this structured and emotionally charged lament.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Lament psalms were an indispensable part of ancient Israelite worship and personal piety, providing a divinely sanctioned avenue for expressing grief, anger, confusion, and pain directly to God. The use of anthropomorphic language, such as God possessing a "face" or an "ear," was a common literary and theological device in the Ancient Near East to describe divine engagement or disengagement in relatable human terms. The "day of trouble" could encompass a broad spectrum of afflictions prevalent in that era, including severe personal illness, social ostracization, national disaster, or the profound experience of exile. The intense urgency of the plea for a "speedy" answer reflects the immediate and often life-threatening nature of such crises in a pre-modern society, where survival frequently depended on swift and decisive divine intervention.
* **Key Themes:**
* **Urgent Prayer in Distress:** This verse powerfully exemplifies the human impulse to turn to God with intense fervor during times of severe affliction. It models a direct, honest, and pressing approach to the divine, emphasizing the believer's right to articulate profound need and desperation. This theme is a cornerstone of many lament psalms, such as when David cries out in [Psalm 13:1](/psalms/13-1 "Psalm 13:1 - How Long, O Lord?").
* **Desire for Divine Presence and Favor:** The petition "Hide not thy face from me" signifies a deep longing for God's active presence, favor, and benevolent attention. In biblical thought, God's "hidden face" often implies a withdrawal of blessing, a sign of judgment, or a profound sense of divine abandonment, as seen in [Deuteronomy 31:17](/deuteronomy/31-17 "Deuteronomy 31:17 - God Hides His Face from Israel"). The psalmist yearns for the opposite: God's revealed, compassionate gaze and active involvement in their suffering.
* **Belief in God's Responsiveness:** The requests "incline thine ear unto me" and "answer me speedily" underscore a foundational faith in God's capacity and willingness to hear and act. Despite the overwhelming circumstances, the psalmist retains confidence that God is neither deaf nor indifferent but capable of providing a timely and effective response, a truth affirmed by passages like [Psalm 116:2](/psalms/116-2 "Psalm 116:2 - God Hears My Voice").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hide (Hebrew, _çâthar'_):** From H5641, this primitive root means "to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively." In the context of God's face, it signifies a withdrawal of His presence, protection, or favor, implying a sense of abandonment or judgment. The psalmist's plea is for God not to withdraw His benevolent gaze during a time of intense trouble.
* **Ear (Hebrew, _ʼôzen'_):** From H241, this noun refers to "the ear (from its form in man)." As an anthropomorphism, the "ear" of God symbolizes His capacity and willingness to listen intently and empathetically. The request to "incline thine ear" is a vivid appeal for God to bend down and pay close, compassionate attention to the petitioner's cries, indicating active engagement rather than mere passive hearing.
* **Speedily (Hebrew, _mahêr'_):** From H4118, this adverb means "hurrying; hence (adverbially) in a hurry; hastily, at once, quickly, soon, suddenly." It conveys an intense sense of urgency and immediacy, reflecting the psalmist's desperate condition where any delay in divine intervention feels unbearable. This is not a casual request but a fervent plea born out of profound distress, demanding a swift and decisive response from God to alleviate suffering.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Hide not thy face from me in the day [when] I am in trouble":** This opening clause articulates the psalmist's primary fear and deepest longing. To experience God "hiding His face" is to perceive divine absence or disfavor, which for the psalmist feels like abandonment in a time of profound "trouble" or distress. The prayer is for God's active, benevolent presence to be visibly and tangibly felt, providing comfort and assurance amidst overwhelming difficulty.
* **"incline thine ear unto me":** Building on the desire for divine presence, this clause shifts to the crucial need for divine attentiveness. "Incline thine ear" is an earnest appeal for God to listen intently and compassionately, demonstrating that the psalmist's cries are not falling on deaf ears. It implies a personal, intimate engagement from God, a bending down to hear the quietest whisper of anguish and to fully comprehend the depth of the suffering.
* **"in the day [when] I call answer me speedily.":** This final clause emphasizes both the urgency and the expectation of a divine response. The psalmist is not merely seeking an an audience but a swift and effective answer to the prayer. The repetition of "in the day [when] I..." highlights the immediate nature of the crisis, underscoring the desperate need for God's prompt intervention and deliverance from the overwhelming circumstances.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 102:2 employs several powerful literary techniques to convey its urgent plea. The entire psalm is a classic example of a **lament**, a common genre in the Psalms where the speaker expresses deep sorrow, suffering, and complaint to God, often coupled with a fervent plea for deliverance and an affirmation of trust. This verse, with its direct appeal and urgent tone, functions as a powerful **supplication**, a humble and earnest prayer for divine aid. The verse also features prominent **anthropomorphism** by attributing human characteristics to God, specifically a "face" and an "ear." This literary device makes the divine relatable and comprehensible, allowing the psalmist to express the desire for God's active presence ("hide not thy face") and attentive listening ("incline thine ear") in vivid, tangible terms. Finally, the repetition of the phrase "in the day [when] I..." ("in the day [when] I am in trouble" and "in the day [when] I call") creates a form of **parallelism** that emphasizes the immediacy and consistency of the psalmist's distress and prayer, underscoring the urgency and the continuous nature of the plea for divine intervention.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 102:2 profoundly illustrates the accessibility of God to His suffering people and the divine expectation of earnest prayer. It underscores the theological truth that God is not a distant, unfeeling deity but one who "inclines His ear" to the cries of the afflicted. The psalmist's plea for God not to "hide His face" speaks to the fundamental human need for divine presence and favor, which is often perceived as withdrawn during times of deep suffering or perceived abandonment. This verse also highlights the tension between human urgency and divine timing, yet it maintains an unwavering faith in God's ultimate responsiveness and capacity to act swiftly. It serves as a model for honest, vulnerable prayer, affirming that even in our deepest despair, we can boldly approach the throne of grace, confident in His compassion.

* [Psalm 27:9](/psalms/27-9 "Psalm 27:9 - Do not hide your face from me")
* [Isaiah 65:24](/isaiah/65-24 "Isaiah 65:24 - God answers before they call")
* [Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 102:2 offers profound encouragement and guidance for believers navigating overwhelming difficulties. It validates the raw, honest expression of distress before God, affirming that it is not only permissible but vital to articulate our deepest fears and most urgent needs. In moments when we feel God's presence is distant, or His favor withdrawn, this verse reminds us to persist in prayer, confident that our cries do reach His attentive ear. It challenges us to examine our own faith in God's responsiveness, particularly when His timing differs from our own. The psalmist's plea for a speedy answer reminds us that while God always hears, His perfect wisdom dictates the "when" and "how" of His intervention, yet we are still called to pray with fervent expectation. This passage ultimately invites us to cultivate a radical dependence on God, trusting that even in our most vulnerable state, He is near and willing to engage with our suffering, transforming our lament into a testimony of His faithfulness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does it mean for you personally when God "hides His face," and how do you respond in prayer during such times?**
* **How does the psalmist's urgency in calling for a "speedy" answer challenge or affirm your own expectations of God's timing?**
* **In what specific areas of your life are you currently in "trouble" and need to "incline God's ear" to your cries?**

### FAQ
**Why does the psalmist ask God not to "hide His face"?**

Answer: In biblical thought, God "hiding His face" (Hebrew: _satar panim_) signifies a withdrawal of His favor, blessing, or even His active presence, often interpreted as a sign of divine displeasure or abandonment. The psalmist, overwhelmed by trouble, desperately seeks the opposite: God's benevolent gaze, His active involvement, and the assurance of His presence. This plea reflects a deep spiritual need for connection with the divine and a fear of being left alone in suffering, a sentiment echoed in [Psalm 13:1](/psalms/13-1 "Psalm 13:1 - How long, O Lord, will you hide your face from me?").

**What does "incline thine ear" imply about God?**

Answer: The phrase "incline thine ear" (Hebrew: _natah ozen_) is an anthropomorphism that portrays God bending down or leaning in to listen intently and compassionately to the petitioner. It implies more than just hearing; it suggests a close, personal, and empathetic attention to the cries of the afflicted. This imagery reassures the psalmist, and us, that God is not distant or indifferent but actively engaged with our prayers and suffering, demonstrating His profound care and willingness to respond, as seen in [Psalm 116:1-2](/psalms/116-1-2 "Psalm 116:1-2 - I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy").

**Is it wrong to ask God to answer "speedily"?**

Answer: No, it is not wrong to ask God to answer "speedily." The psalmist's plea for a swift response (Hebrew: _maher_) reflects the genuine urgency and depth of their distress. It is a natural human desire for immediate relief from suffering. While God's timing is always perfect and often differs from our own, expressing our urgent need is an act of honest and fervent prayer, demonstrating a trust that God is capable of acting decisively. The Bible encourages persistence and boldness in prayer, even when asking for quick intervention, as exemplified by Jesus' parable of the persistent widow in [Luke 18:1-8](/luke/18-1-8 "Luke 18:1-8 - The Parable of the Persistent Widow").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 102:2 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies both the suffering psalmist and the responsive God. Jesus, the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), experienced the ultimate "day of trouble" on the cross, crying out in profound lament, even feeling the Father's face hidden from Him as He bore the sin of the world ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?")). Yet, through His suffering, He became our great High Priest, one who can deeply sympathize with our weaknesses because He was tempted in every way, just as we are, yet without sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our Great High Priest")). Now, as our ascended Lord, Christ continually "inclines His ear" to our prayers, interceding for us before the Father ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession")). The "speedy" answer the psalmist longed for is ultimately realized in God's decisive act of salvation through Christ, offering immediate access to grace and the promise of future deliverance from all trouble. In Christ, we are assured that God's face is eternally turned towards us in favor, and His ear is always open to our cries, because of the perfect sacrifice and ongoing advocacy of our Savior.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 69:17

And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily.

Isaiah 8:17

And I will wait upon the LORD, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.

Psalms 27:9

Hide not thy face [far] from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.

Psalms 104:29

Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.

Psalms 70:1

¶ To the chief Musician, [A Psalm] of David, to bring to remembrance. [Make haste], O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O LORD.

Psalms 143:7

¶ Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.

Psalms 71:2

Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.