Psalms 27:9

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Hide {H5641} not thy face {H6440} far from me; put {H5186} not thy servant {H5650} away {H5186} in anger {H639}: thou hast been my help {H5833}; leave {H5203} me not, neither forsake {H5800} me, O God {H430} of my salvation {H3468}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Do not hide your face from me, don't turn your servant away in anger. You are my help; don't abandon me; don't leave me, God my savior.

Berean Standard Bible

Hide not Your face from me, nor turn away Your servant in anger. You have been my helper; do not leave me or forsake me, O God of my salvation.

American Standard Version

Hide not thy face from me; Put not thy servant away in anger: Thou hast been my help; Cast me not off, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 27:9 presents a heartfelt and vulnerable prayer from David, transitioning from the psalm's initial declarations of confident trust to an earnest plea for God's unwavering presence and aid. Amidst perceived distress, David implores God not to withdraw His favor, reject His servant in anger, or abandon him. This poignant petition is rooted in the remembrance of God's past faithfulness, encapsulating the believer's profound dependence on the "God of my salvation" for ongoing deliverance and steadfast support in times of need.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 27 is a deeply personal psalm of David, traditionally understood in two movements. The initial section, spanning [Psalms 27:1-6](/psalms/27-1-6 "Psalm 27:1-6 - Confident Trust in God's Protection"), resounds with unwavering confidence in God as the source of light, salvation, and strength, expressing fearlessness in the face of adversaries and a singular desire to dwell in God's presence. However, a distinct shift occurs from [Psalms 27:7](/psalms/27-7 "Psalm 27:7 - A Cry for Help"), introducing a series of urgent petitions. Verse 9, specifically, is a poignant cry for divine presence and non-abandonment, revealing the profound human vulnerability that can coexist with robust faith. This transition highlights the dynamic nature of a living relationship with God, where bold declarations of trust can be immediately followed by heartfelt pleas for reassurance and continued favor, before culminating in renewed hope in [Psalms 27:13-14](/psalms/27-13-14 "Psalm 27:13-14 - Waiting for the Lord's Goodness").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the precise historical setting for Psalms 27 is not explicitly stated, Davidic psalms frequently emerge from periods of intense personal or national crisis, such as Saul's relentless pursuit, Absalom's rebellion, or various military threats. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the "face" of a king or deity profoundly symbolized favor, presence, and direct attention. To "hide one's face" was a grave sign of displeasure, rejection, or abandonment, often implying judgment or a withdrawal of protection. Conversely, to "seek God's face" (as implored in [Psalms 27:8](/psalms/27-8 "Psalm 27:8 - Seeking God's Face")) was to seek His favor and intimate communion. David's plea, therefore, is not merely for physical proximity but for the active, benevolent, and protective presence of God, a concept deeply ingrained in the covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 27:9 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the psalm and the broader Psalter. It underscores the theme of **Divine Presence**, emphasizing the believer's desperate need for God's active involvement rather than His absence or hiddenness. It highlights the **Dynamic Nature of Faith**, demonstrating that even profound trust can be accompanied by moments of fear and earnest petition, a tension often observed in the Psalms (e.g., [Psalms 13:1-2](/psalms/13-1-2 "Psalm 13:1-2 - How Long, O Lord?")). The declaration "thou hast been my help" reinforces the theme of **God's Faithfulness and Past Deliverance**, serving as the unwavering foundation for present and future hope, a common rhetorical strategy in biblical prayers (e.g., [Psalms 77:11](/psalms/77-11 "Psalm 77:11 - Remembering the Deeds of the Lord")). Finally, the address "O God of my salvation" reaffirms the central theme of **God as the Ultimate Deliverer and Source of Security**, from whom all rescue and well-being flow, a concept woven throughout the entire book of [Psalms](/psalms "The Book of Psalms").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hide (Hebrew, _çâthar'_):** This primitive root means to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively. In the context of God's face, it signifies a withdrawal of divine favor, a sense of abandonment, or a period of perceived absence and silence. For David, this was a terrifying prospect, implying a cessation of God's benevolent and active presence, a stark contrast to the light and salvation declared earlier in the psalm.
* **Forsake (Hebrew, _ʻâzab'_):** This strong verb means to loosen, relinquish, permit, or specifically, to abandon or leave desolate. When paired with "leave me not," it intensifies David's plea, expressing a profound fear of ultimate desertion. It underscores his desperate longing for God's steadfast commitment to him, recognizing that God's abandonment would mean utter ruin.
* **Salvation (Hebrew, _yeshaʻ'_):** From the root _yāšaʿ_, this noun denotes liberty, deliverance, prosperity, safety, or saving. By calling God the "God of my salvation," David acknowledges Him as the ultimate source and orchestrator of all deliverance, encompassing not only physical rescue from enemies or danger but also spiritual and existential well-being. This title affirms God's character as the one who consistently saves and restores.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Hide not thy face [far] from me;":** This is an earnest and urgent petition for God's continued, visible, and benevolent presence. David fears that God might withdraw His favor or attention, leaving him vulnerable and without divine guidance or protection. The bracketed "far" in the KJV, while an interpretive addition, accurately captures the nuance of a complete and distant withdrawal.
* **"put not thy servant away in anger:":** This clause expresses David's apprehension of divine wrath or rejection. He appeals to his status as God's "servant," implying a covenant relationship and a plea for mercy rather than judgment. He fears being cast off or dismissed due to some perceived offense or divine displeasure.
* **"thou hast been my help;":** This is a powerful declaration of God's past faithfulness, serving as the foundational argument for David's present plea. He recalls God's consistent assistance and deliverance in previous trials, using this history of divine intervention as a basis for his current hope and expectation that God will continue to act on his behalf.
* **"leave me not, neither forsake me,":** This is a double negative plea, intensifying the request for God's unwavering commitment. It encapsulates the core human fear of abandonment and the profound need for God's constant support and companionship. It echoes the covenant promises of God's enduring faithfulness to His people.
* **"O God of my salvation.":** This concluding address reaffirms David's ultimate source of deliverance and well-being. It is a title that recognizes God not just as a temporary helper but as the very orchestrator and provider of rescue from all forms of danger, distress, and spiritual peril. It grounds the entire plea in God's unchanging character and redemptive power.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 27:9 employs several potent literary devices to convey its emotional and theological depth. The most prominent is **Apostrophe**, where David directly addresses God ("Hide not thy face... O God of my salvation"), lending a personal and immediate quality to the prayer. There is a clear use of **Repetition** and **Parallelism** in the pleas "leave me not, neither forsake me," which intensifies the earnestness of the request and emphasizes the profound fear of abandonment. The phrase "hide not thy face" functions as a **Metonymy**, where God's "face" represents His presence, favor, and attention. The contrast between God's past faithfulness ("thou hast been my help") and the present fear of abandonment creates a powerful **Juxtaposition**, highlighting the dynamic tension within David's faith. This juxtaposition also serves as a form of **Argumentation**, where David uses God's past actions as a basis for His continued intervention.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 27:9 profoundly illustrates the nature of a living relationship with God, characterized by both confident trust and vulnerable petition. Theologically, it underscores God's covenant faithfulness and His character as the ultimate Deliverer. It teaches that while believers can declare God's sovereignty and protection, it is equally vital and permissible to voice fears of abandonment or perceived divine absence. This honesty in prayer does not negate faith but rather authenticates it, demonstrating a deep reliance on God even in moments of spiritual struggle. The psalm reinforces that God's past acts of salvation serve as a powerful anchor for present hope, reminding us that His character is immutable and His promises enduring.

* [Deuteronomy 31:6](/deuteronomy/31-6 "Deuteronomy 31:6 - God's Promise Not to Fail or Forsake")
* [Psalm 42:2](/psalms/42-2 "Psalm 42:2 - Longing for God's Presence")
* [Isaiah 54:7-8](/isaiah/54-7-8 "Isaiah 54:7-8 - God's Everlasting Love and Compassion")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 27:9 provides a powerful model for believers navigating seasons of uncertainty, fear, or perceived spiritual dryness. It grants us permission to be utterly honest with God, even when our emotions seem to contradict our theological convictions. We are encouraged to voice our deepest anxieties—the fear of being forgotten, rejected, or abandoned—knowing that God, our loving Father, invites such transparency. This verse also serves as a crucial reminder to anchor our present pleas in the firm foundation of God's past faithfulness. When we feel overwhelmed, recalling how God "has been our help" in previous trials can rekindle hope and strengthen our resolve to trust Him for current and future deliverance. Ultimately, this prayer directs us to rest in God's unchanging character as the "God of our salvation," who, despite our fluctuating emotions, remains steadfastly committed to His people and is able to deliver them from every peril.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you reconcile moments of deep trust in God with feelings of fear or abandonment, as David does in this psalm?**
* **In what ways has God "been your help" in the past, and how can remembering these instances strengthen your faith today?**
* **What does it mean for God to "hide His face" from us in a contemporary context, and how might we respond when we feel His presence is distant?**
* **How does the title "God of my salvation" inform your understanding of God's character and His ongoing work in your life?**

### FAQ
**Why would David fear God hiding His face if he was so confident earlier in the Psalm?**

Answer: David's prayer in Psalms 27:9 highlights the dynamic and often complex nature of faith. The initial verses of [Psalms 27](/psalms/27 "Psalm 27 - The Lord is My Light and My Salvation") express profound, unwavering trust in God as his light, salvation, and strength. However, faith is not a static state of unwavering confidence but a living relationship that encompasses the full spectrum of human experience. Even strong believers can experience moments of doubt, fear, or perceived divine absence, especially when facing intense adversity or spiritual distress. David's vulnerability in verse 9 reveals his raw honesty before God, acknowledging his deep human need for God's active presence and reassurance. It demonstrates that true faith allows for the expression of both bold declarations and heartfelt pleas, recognizing that God is big enough to handle our fears alongside our confidence.

**What does "God of my salvation" mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "O God of my salvation" is a powerful declaration that grounds David's entire plea in God's essential character. It signifies that God is not merely a helper or a temporary deliverer, but the ultimate source and orchestrator of all deliverance and well-being. "Salvation" (Hebrew: _yesha'_) encompasses a broad range of meanings, including rescue from physical danger, victory over enemies, and spiritual restoration. By addressing God in this way, David affirms his absolute dependence on God for every aspect of his safety, security, and ultimate flourishing. It is a title that acknowledges God's consistent nature as the one who saves, has saved, and will continue to save, providing a deep well of hope and assurance even in moments of profound fear. This understanding of God as the "God of my salvation" is a recurring theme throughout the [Psalms](/psalms "The Book of Psalms") and the broader biblical narrative.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 27:9, with its raw plea for God's unwavering presence and non-abandonment, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While David feared God hiding His face, Jesus experienced the ultimate divine abandonment on the cross, crying out, "[My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")" (cf. [Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")). This was not due to any sin of His own, but because He bore the full weight of humanity's sin, enduring the Father's wrath and the hiding of His face on our behalf. Yet, even in this cosmic forsaking, God did not ultimately abandon His Son, raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His right hand ([Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Jesus from the Dead")). Through Christ's atoning sacrifice, believers are now guaranteed what David longed for: God's perpetual presence. The Holy Spirit, the Comforter, is given to dwell within us, ensuring that God will "[never leave thee, nor forsake thee](/hebrews/13-5 "God Will Never Leave You Nor Forsake You")" (cf. [Hebrews 13:5](/hebrews/13-5 "Hebrews 13:5 - God's Promise of Presence") and [John 14:16-18](/john/14-16-18 "John 14:16-18 - The Promise of the Comforter")). Jesus is the "God of our salvation" who not only delivers us from sin and death but also promises His abiding presence until the very end of the age ([Matthew 28:20](/matthew/28-20 "Matthew 28:20 - Jesus' Great Commission and Promise of Presence")).

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.

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 102:2

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.

Isaiah 46:3

Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne [by me] from the belly, which are carried from the womb:

Isaiah 46:4

And [even] to [your] old age I [am] he; and [even] to hoar hairs will I carry [you]: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver [you].

Psalms 24:5

He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

Jeremiah 32:40

And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.