Psalm 27:9 Hide not your face far from me; put not your servant away in anger: you have been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me… 1. The surpassing worth and excellence of God's special favour, whereof he would not be deprived (Psalm 30:5; Psalm 63:3). 2. He knew the displeasure of God was a most heavy and grievous thing, which no creature is able to bear (Psalm 76:7). 3. He knew his own guilt of sin, both original (Psalm 51:5) and actual (Psalm 51:3, 4). 4. He was not ignorant of God's sovereignty over all, whereby He may, even for trial of grace, hide His face, and seem angry with His dearest servants. Uses — 1. For instruction. (1) See in David what the godly think of the want of God's favour: that it is a most grievous and bitter thing; as if a father should put away a child in anger, leave him and forsake him. (2) See here that the true child of God may, for a time, want the feeling of God's special favour, and remain under the sense of His displeasure (Psalm 38:1, 2). (3) See that prayer is a blessed and sanctified means whereby the child of God may comfortably wait for the blessing of God's favour. 2. For admonition. (1) That we examine ourselves, how our hearts esteem the want of feeling God's special love and favour in Christ. (2) Learn not to be dismayed for the temporary hiding of God's face or sustaining of His anger. (T. Pierson.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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