Psalms 27:9

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

אַל H408
אַל
Strong's: H408
Word #: 1 of 16
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תַּסְתֵּ֬ר Hide H5641
תַּסְתֵּ֬ר Hide
Strong's: H5641
Word #: 2 of 16
to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively
פָּנֶ֨יךָ׀ not thy face H6440
פָּנֶ֨יךָ׀ not thy face
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 3 of 16
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
מִמֶּנִּי֮ H4480
מִמֶּנִּי֮
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 4 of 16
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
אַֽל H408
אַֽל
Strong's: H408
Word #: 5 of 16
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תַּט away H5186
תַּט away
Strong's: H5186
Word #: 6 of 16
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
בְּאַ֗ף in anger H639
בְּאַ֗ף in anger
Strong's: H639
Word #: 7 of 16
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
עַ֫בְדֶּ֥ךָ not thy servant H5650
עַ֫בְדֶּ֥ךָ not thy servant
Strong's: H5650
Word #: 8 of 16
a servant
עֶזְרָתִ֥י thou hast been my help H5833
עֶזְרָתִ֥י thou hast been my help
Strong's: H5833
Word #: 9 of 16
aid
הָיִ֑יתָ H1961
הָיִ֑יתָ
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 10 of 16
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
אַֽל H408
אַֽל
Strong's: H408
Word #: 11 of 16
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּטְּשֵׁ֥נִי leave H5203
תִּטְּשֵׁ֥נִי leave
Strong's: H5203
Word #: 12 of 16
properly, to pound, i.e., smite; by implication (as if beating out, and thus expanding) to disperse; also, to thrust off, down, out or upon (inclusive
וְאַל H408
וְאַל
Strong's: H408
Word #: 13 of 16
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תַּֽ֝עַזְבֵ֗נִי me not neither forsake H5800
תַּֽ֝עַזְבֵ֗נִי me not neither forsake
Strong's: H5800
Word #: 14 of 16
to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc
אֱלֹהֵ֥י me O God H430
אֱלֹהֵ֥י me O God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 15 of 16
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
יִשְׁעִֽי׃ of my salvation H3468
יִשְׁעִֽי׃ of my salvation
Strong's: H3468
Word #: 16 of 16
liberty, deliverance, prosperity

Analysis & Commentary

The desperate plea 'Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger' expresses fear of divine rejection. God's 'face' hidden represents disfavor or judgment. The basis of appeal: 'thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.' Past help grounds confidence for continued help. Reformed theology sees covenant faithfulness: God who began salvation will complete it (Phil. 1:6). Divine anger toward sin is real, but believers are shielded by Christ's atonement.

Historical Context

Divine abandonment terrified Israel—it meant covenant curse and national disaster. Yet God promised never to utterly forsake His people (Deut. 31:6). This tension between fear and faith characterizes biblical prayer.

Questions for Reflection

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