‘Many there are who say, “Who will show us any good?
Yahweh, lift up the light of your face on us,”
Glad in heart he is aware that many who have been against him, or have been neutral, are now having second thoughts, because they have ‘stood in awe' and considered. They had turned to Absalom because of his promises of what he would do for them but now they are reconsidering. They are now remembering all that David had achieved for them, and possibly also aware that as he has survived the first onslaught he may well come out as the victor. They are also remembering that he had been a successful intercessor. Thus they are asking YHWH to guide them as to what choice they should make. And the result is that many are gathering to David to support his cause.
‘Who will show us any good.' Who is the one who will make the best king so that we prosper under his rule? Who will be the best intercessor? And they recognised that it had to be the one anointed by YHWH.
‘YHWH, lift up the light of your face on us.' Compare Psalms 31:16; Psalms 80:3; Psalms 80:17; Psalms 80:19. The idea behind the phrase is of YHWH acting on their behalf. So having made their choice for YHWH's anointed, they seek His delivering power to deliver David and themselves and bring the country back to normal.
All of us can ask the same question. ‘Who will do us any good?' And the answer for us is great David's Greater Son. As we seek Him with all our hearts God will act for us and reveal the glory of His presence to us. His face will be turned towards us.