Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble? Why standest thou afar off, O Lord? - This Psalm makes a part of the preceding in the Vulgate and Septuagint; and in four of Kennicott's and De Rossi's MSS. It seems to belong to the time of the captivity, or the return of the captives. It was probably made in reference to Sanballat, and the other enemies or the Jews. There is a great similarity between this and Psalms 13:1-6, Psalms 14:1-7, 35, and Psalms 53:1-6 : In these, as Calmet remarks, we find the same complaints, the same sentiments, and almost the same expressions.
God is represented here as standing at some distance, beholding the oppression of his people, and yet apparently disregarding it.