Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily.

PSALMS 102:2KJV
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Psalms 102:2 (KJV)

What does Psalms 102:2 mean?

Psalms 102:2 is a plea from someone in deep distress, asking God not to ignore them but to listen and respond quickly when they cry out for help. The verse expresses a sense of urgency and longing for God’s attention during a time of trouble.

The speaker in Psalms 102:2 is traditionally understood to be someone suffering or facing hardship, directing their prayer to God. The verse is part of a larger psalm often called a “prayer of the afflicted,” where the writer pours out their pain and desperation. The language paints a vivid picture of someone who feels vulnerable and urgently needs God’s presence and response.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 102:2

  • "Hide" (סָתַר, satar): This word means to conceal or cover. Here, it shows the fear of God turning away or being unreachable in a moment of need.
  • "Trouble" (צָרָה, tsarah): This word refers to distress, adversity, or tightness. It highlights the intensity of the speaker’s situation, not just mild discomfort but serious hardship.
  • "Incline" (נָטָה, natah): This means to stretch out or bend. Asking God to “incline” His ear is a vivid way of saying, “Please pay close attention to me.”
  • "Answer speedily" (מַהֵר, maher): This word means to hurry or act quickly. It brings out the urgency in the prayer, showing the speaker’s need for immediate help.

Why Psalms 102:2 matters

  • Psalms 102:2 clarifies that it is normal, even in the Bible, for people to feel desperate for God’s attention and to ask Him to respond quickly.
  • The verse emphasizes the personal, direct way the psalmist speaks to God, showing that honest, urgent prayers are part of the biblical tradition.
  • This verse sets the tone for the rest of Psalm 102, which is filled with raw emotion and honest questions, helping readers see that faith can include times of deep struggle and longing for God’s presence.

Where else these words appear

“speedily” Hebrew H4118 · used in 17 verses

  • Exodus 32:8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
  • Deuteronomy 9:12 And the LORD said unto me, Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt have corrupted themselves; they are quickly turned aside out of the way which I commanded them; they have made them a molten image.
  • Judges 2:23 Therefore the LORD left those nations, without driving them out hastily; neither delivered he them into the hand of Joshua.

“Hide” Hebrew H5641 · used in 80 verses

  • Genesis 4:14 Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.
  • Psalms 10:11 He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.
  • Proverbs 28:28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.

“trouble” Hebrew H6862 · used in 102 verses

  • Genesis 14:20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
  • Psalms 18:6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.
  • Proverbs 23:27 For a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit.