Psalms 44:24
Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression?
Original Language Analysis
לָֽמָּה
H4100
לָֽמָּה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
1 of 6
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
פָנֶ֥יךָ
thou thy face
H6440
פָנֶ֥יךָ
thou thy face
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
2 of 6
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
תַסְתִּ֑יר
Wherefore hidest
H5641
תַסְתִּ֑יר
Wherefore hidest
Strong's:
H5641
Word #:
3 of 6
to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively
תִּשְׁכַּ֖ח
and forgettest
H7911
תִּשְׁכַּ֖ח
and forgettest
Strong's:
H7911
Word #:
4 of 6
to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention
Historical Context
The hidden face of God (hester panim) becomes an important theological concept, especially in post-exilic Judaism grappling with the silence of God during and after the Babylonian destruction.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the 'hidden face' of God feel like in practical experience?
- How do we distinguish between God's silence and His absence?
Analysis & Commentary
The questions persist: 'Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression?' God's hidden face represents withdrawal of favor and presence. 'Forgetting' challenges God's covenant commitment to remember His people. The questions assume God should be attentive but seems deliberately absent.