King James Bible
"Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation."
David pleads for God not to withdraw His presence or reject him in wrath. In ancient Hebrew thought, God hiding His face signified the removal of divine favor and protection, while being sent away echoes the fear of exile from God's presence—the ultimate judgment. This brief declaration grounds David's plea in past experience, affirming God's proven track record of deliverance. The shift from petition to testimony serves as both a reminder to himself and an appeal to God's faithful character. The psalmist intensifies his request with doubled language emphasizing complete abandonment, then invokes God's covenant role as Savior. This title 'God of my salvation' personalizes the relationship and appeals to God's redemptive nature as the basis for continued faithfulness.