God invites us to pour our hearts out in honest prayer, confident that He hears and responds swiftly in our moments of greatest need.
And do not hide Your face from Your servant,
For I am in distress; answer me quickly. (Psalm 69:17)
This verse depicts David’s urgent plea for the Lord’s attention in a moment of deep anguish. David, historically dated to have reigned as the second king of Israel from about 1010 BC to 970 BC, often wrote psalms filled with raw emotion when he faced opposition or personal struggles. Here, the phrase “And do not hide Your face from Your servant” (v.17) expresses a desperate desire for God’s presence. In ancient Israel, when God’s “face” was turned away, it symbolized distance or the withholding of divine favor. David’s heartfelt request shows his confidence that if the Lord will turn toward him with mercy, the distressing circumstances can be overcome.
In the second half of the verse, “For I am in distress; answer me quickly” (v.17), David underscores his grave need for God’s immediate rescue. The urgency of his cry suggests that waiting any longer might prove unbearable. This sense of desperation can resonate with anyone who has felt the pressures of life intensify to a breaking point. David’s psalm invites readers to see that in the midst of crisis, seeking a swift response from the Lord is both acceptable and encouraged. Throughout Scripture, we see this modeled by others who called upon the Lord in times of dire need, including occasions when Jesus Himself showed compassion to those who urgently reached out to Him (Luke 8:43-48).
The verse also points to a deeper truth that God’s people are not helpless. Even though King David was a ruler in ancient Israel—a narrow strip of land in the Levant region along the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea—he turned to the Lord as his ultimate source of deliverance. Believers today can find solace by reflecting on David’s example and trusting in God’s willingness to come close to those in distress (Hebrews 4:16). Such reliance on the Lord aligns with the broader biblical theme of God’s faithfulness and His attentiveness to the cries of His own.
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Psalms 69:17 meaning
And do not hide Your face from Your servant,
For I am in distress; answer me quickly. (Psalm 69:17)
This verse depicts David’s urgent plea for the Lord’s attention in a moment of deep anguish. David, historically dated to have reigned as the second king of Israel from about 1010 BC to 970 BC, often wrote psalms filled with raw emotion when he faced opposition or personal struggles. Here, the phrase “And do not hide Your face from Your servant” (v.17) expresses a desperate desire for God’s presence. In ancient Israel, when God’s “face” was turned away, it symbolized distance or the withholding of divine favor. David’s heartfelt request shows his confidence that if the Lord will turn toward him with mercy, the distressing circumstances can be overcome.
In the second half of the verse, “For I am in distress; answer me quickly” (v.17), David underscores his grave need for God’s immediate rescue. The urgency of his cry suggests that waiting any longer might prove unbearable. This sense of desperation can resonate with anyone who has felt the pressures of life intensify to a breaking point. David’s psalm invites readers to see that in the midst of crisis, seeking a swift response from the Lord is both acceptable and encouraged. Throughout Scripture, we see this modeled by others who called upon the Lord in times of dire need, including occasions when Jesus Himself showed compassion to those who urgently reached out to Him (Luke 8:43-48).
The verse also points to a deeper truth that God’s people are not helpless. Even though King David was a ruler in ancient Israel—a narrow strip of land in the Levant region along the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea—he turned to the Lord as his ultimate source of deliverance. Believers today can find solace by reflecting on David’s example and trusting in God’s willingness to come close to those in distress (Hebrews 4:16). Such reliance on the Lord aligns with the broader biblical theme of God’s faithfulness and His attentiveness to the cries of His own.