And hide not thy face from thy servant
This is a character that is frequently given to Christ as Mediator; he is a servant of God's choosing, calling, and appointing; of his sending, bringing forth, and supporting; who is an obedient, diligent, righteous, and prudent one; who always reverenced and honoured him whose servant he was, ( Isaiah 42:1 ) ( 43:10 ) ( Isaiah 49:1 Isaiah 49:3 ) ( 52:13 ) ( 53:11 ) ( Zechariah 3:8 ) ; now, when he was on the cross, suffering in the room and stead of his people, his Father hid his face from him; which he here deprecates, and desires he would not continue to do, seeing he was his servant, now doing his service, and about to finish it, even the great work of man's redemption; and for a reason following;
for I am in trouble;
in straits and difficulties; pressed on every side, enclosed with the assembly of the wicked, who were mocking of him, and with the whole posse of devils, who were throwing their fiery darts at him; having the sins of his people and the curses of a righteous law on him, and the wrath of God in him; and what increased his trouble was, he was forsaken by him;
hear me speedily;
or "make haste to hear" F5; and answer me; his case required haste; see ( Psalms 22:19 ) .