Psalms 69:17

17 And turn not away thy face from thy servant; for I am in tribulation, hear thou me swiftly (for I am in trouble, so answer thou me swiftly).

Psalms 69:17 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 69:17

And hide not thy face from thy servant
This is a character that is frequently given to Christ as Mediator; he is a servant of God's choosing, calling, and appointing; of his sending, bringing forth, and supporting; who is an obedient, diligent, righteous, and prudent one; who always reverenced and honoured him whose servant he was, ( Isaiah 42:1 ) ( 43:10 ) ( Isaiah 49:1 Isaiah 49:3 ) ( 52:13 ) ( 53:11 ) ( Zechariah 3:8 ) ; now, when he was on the cross, suffering in the room and stead of his people, his Father hid his face from him; which he here deprecates, and desires he would not continue to do, seeing he was his servant, now doing his service, and about to finish it, even the great work of man's redemption; and for a reason following;

for I am in trouble;
in straits and difficulties; pressed on every side, enclosed with the assembly of the wicked, who were mocking of him, and with the whole posse of devils, who were throwing their fiery darts at him; having the sins of his people and the curses of a righteous law on him, and the wrath of God in him; and what increased his trouble was, he was forsaken by him;

hear me speedily;
or "make haste to hear" ^F5; and answer me; his case required haste; see ( Psalms 22:19 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F5 (ynne rhm) "festina exaudire me", Vatablus.

Psalms 69:17 In-Context

15 The tempest of water drench not me [down], neither the depth swallow me; neither the pit make strait his mouth on me. (Let not the tempest of the water drown me, nor let the depths swallow me; let not the pit close its mouth upon me.)

16 Lord, hear thou me, for thy mercy is benign; after the multitude of thy merciful doings behold thou into me. (Lord, hear thou me, out of the goodness of thy love; and according to the multitude of thy merciful doings, look thou upon me.)

17 And turn not away thy face from thy servant; for I am in tribulation, hear thou me swiftly (for I am in trouble, so answer thou me swiftly).

18 Give thou attention to my soul, and deliver thou it; for mine enemies, deliver thou me. (Give thou attention to me, and save me; save thou me from my enemies/save thou me, for I have many enemies.)

19 Thou knowest my reproof, and my despising; and my shame. All that trouble me be in thy sight; (Thou knowest the reproaches, and the despisings, and the shames that I bear. All who trouble me be before thee;)