King James Version

What Does Psalms 69:17 Mean?

Psalms 69:17 in the King James Version says “And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily. hear: Heb. make haste to hear me” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 69 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily. hear: Heb. make haste to hear me”

Psalms 69:17 · KJV

Context

15

Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.

16

Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.

17

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

18

Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies.

19

Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all before thee.

Read Psalms 69 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily. The plea "hide not thy face" (אַל־תַּסְתֵּר פָּנֶיךָ/al-taster panekha) is among Scripture's most poignant prayers, expressing the horror of divine absence. God "hiding His face" signifies withdrawal of favor, presence, and protection—the opposite of blessing (Psalm 27:9, 102:2). For covenant people, divine presence was everything; its absence meant abandonment to enemies, meaninglessness, and death.

"Thy servant" (עַבְדֶּךָ/avdekha) grounds the appeal in covenant relationship. David isn't a stranger making demands but a bond-servant who has given his life to God's service. Masters don't abandon servants; lords don't forsake vassals who've sworn fealty.

"For I am in trouble" (כִּי־צַר־לִי/ki-tzar-li) uses tzar (narrow, tight, constricted), suggesting being trapped, compressed, with no room to breathe or escape. "Hear me speedily" (מַהֵר עֲנֵנִי/maher aneni) expresses urgent need—not eventual deliverance but immediate response. This anticipates Christ's cry on the cross, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The concept of God hiding His face appears throughout Israel's history, particularly during judgment and exile (Deuteronomy 31:17-18, Isaiah 54:8, Ezekiel 39:23-24). It represented covenant curse—the ultimate consequence of persistent rebellion. Yet the righteous also experienced seasons when God's presence seemed absent (Psalm 13:1, 44:24).

David as "servant" (ebed) connects to his role as anointed king, shepherd of Israel, covenant representative. The term appears in messianic prophecy (Isaiah's Servant Songs), pointing to Christ as the ultimate Servant who perfectly fulfilled God's will yet experienced God's face hidden under sin's curse He bore as substitute.

Early church fathers saw this verse as Christ's cry from the cross, when the Father's face was hidden due to imputed sin.

Reflection Questions

  1. Have you experienced seasons when God's face seemed hidden, and how did you persist in faith through that darkness?
  2. What is the difference between God hiding His face in judgment versus God's apparent absence during trials of faith?
  3. How does Christ's experience of the Father's hidden face on the cross guarantee that God will never ultimately hide His face from believers?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 9 words
וְאַל1 of 9
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תַּסְתֵּ֣ר2 of 9

“And hide”

H5641

to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively

פָּ֭נֶיךָ3 of 9

“not thy face”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

מֵֽעַבְדֶּ֑ךָ4 of 9

“from thy servant”

H5650

a servant

כִּֽי5 of 9
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

צַר6 of 9

“for I am in trouble”

H6887

to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive

לִ֝֗י7 of 9
H0
מַהֵ֥ר8 of 9

“me speedily”

H4118

properly, hurrying; hence (adverbially) in a hurry

עֲנֵֽנִי׃9 of 9

“hear”

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 69:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 69:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 27:9Psalms 102:2Psalms 70:1Matthew 27:46Psalms 13:1Psalms 143:9

Test Your Knowledge

Psalms 69 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterPsalms Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Psalms 69 with CommentaryAll Psalms ChaptersComplete Psalms QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes