Hide not thy face from me - The Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate render this, “Do not turn away thy face from me.” The sense is essentially the same. The prayer is, that God would not refuse to look graciously upon him; that he would turn his attention to him; that he would regard his supplications. See the notes at Psalms 10:1; compare Psalms 13:1; Psalms 27:9; Job 13:24; Job 34:29; Deuteronomy 31:17.
In the day when I am in trouble - When sorrows come upon me; when I need thy gracious help. Literally, “When there is distress to me.”
Incline thine ear unto me - See Psalms 5:1, note; Psalms 17:6, note; compare Psalms 17:1; Psalms 55:1; Psalms 86:6; Psalms 39:12.
In the day when I call, answer me speedily - Grant at once my requests; give me immediate evidence that my prayer is heard. The psalmist believed in an immediate answer to prayer. He often had evidence that his prayer was answered at once; his mind became calm; he had comfort and peace; he obtained the blessing which he earnestly sought. No one can doubt that prayer may be answered at once; no one who prays can fail to find such answers in his own case, in his peace, his calmness, his joy. In multitudes of cases blessings are granted in such a way that there can be no doubt that they have come in answer to prayer. Compare the notes at Daniel 9:20-23.