Psalms 22:24
For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What's easily missed here is that God's "not hiding his face" wasn't a permanent abandonment, but a temporary distress that was followed by His attentive hearing. This verse highlights that even in moments of apparent divine silence, God's heart remains engaged and responsive to the cries of His suffering children.
This passage marks a significant shift in the psalm, moving from deep anguish to confident praise. The psalmist declares his intention to praise God to his brethren and in the midst of the congregation, framing this resolution as a response to God's unwavering faithfulness. He affirms that even in the midst of extreme suffering, God did not abandon or reject him but heard his cries for help.
Have you ever felt like your pain was too much for others to handle, or even too much for God?
This verse cuts through the idea that God turns away from our suffering. The Psalmist uses strong words here: 'not despised,' 'not abhorred.' These aren't just polite refusals; they convey a deep revulsion or disgust. Yet, God doesn't feel that way about the 'affliction of the afflicted.' He doesn't look at our pain and think, 'Ugh, this is too much.'
God's Compassionate Gaze
Instead of recoiling, God's posture is one of engagement. The commentaries highlight that 'he looked upon it with compassion' and did not 'abhor it as something loathsome.' This means our deepest sorrows, our most embarrassing pains, our most soul-crushing afflictions – they don't make God turn His face away in disgust. He sees them fully, and His heart is moved with compassion, not revulsion.
Sometimes it feels like God has vanished, leaving you completely alone in the dark.
The phrase 'neither hath he hid his face from him' is crucial. While it's true that at times God does seem to hide His face (as the Psalmist himself expresses in earlier verses of this psalm), this verse assures us that this hiding is not permanent. It's not a final abandonment.
Temporary Darkness, Eternal Light
The commentaries point out that God might hide His face 'for a time' or 'for a moment.' This temporary withdrawal, though intensely painful, is not the end of the story. It's a prelude to His renewed attention and favor. The very fact that the Psalmist can declare God has heard his cry implies the period of hiddenness has passed or is passing.
What happens when your prayer is more than a whisper – it's a desperate cry?
The climax of this verse is the simple, powerful statement: 'but has heard, when he cried to him.' This isn't just about a polite request; 'cried' implies a desperate, urgent, perhaps even anguished plea. It's the sound of someone pushed to their limit.
Understand the original words
oni · Hebrew Noun
The state of being low, humbled, or suffering. Biblically, God is frequently depicted as the helper of those who are in this position.
panim · Hebrew Noun
In theological terms, the 'face' of God represents His presence, favor, and attention; hiding it indicates withdrawal of blessing or judgment, while revealing it indicates salvation and grace.
This verse, understood as a prophetic utterance of the suffering Messiah, highlights that even in the most profound agony and apparent abandonment, God's ear is open to the cries of His afflicted Son. It assures us that God never truly despises or turns away from the suffering He allows for the sake of redemption.
c. 1000 BC
David's Reign and Temple Plans
David, king of Israel, experiences periods of great triumph and deep distress, composing many psalms that reflect these emotional and spiritual struggles. He desires to build a temple for God but is not permitted to, a task passed to his son Solomon.
c. 960 BC
Solomon's Temple Completed
King Solomon completes the magnificent First Temple in Jerusalem, a central place of worship where sacrifices are offered and God's presence is believed to dwell. This event marks a peak of Israel's glory and stability.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting many of its citizens. This event serves as a stark warning to the southern Kingdom of Judah about the consequences of unfaithfulness to God.
587/586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
The Babylonian Empire, under Nebuchadnezzar, destroys Jerusalem and the First Temple. The people of Judah are exiled to Babylon, a devastating blow to their national and religious life.
This passage describes the Suffering Servant who, like the afflicted one in the psalm, is led to slaughter but does not open his mouth, highlighting a shared experience of silent suffering and apparent abandonment.
Hebrews 5:7This New Testament passage directly quotes the psalmist's cry and explains that Jesus, through his prayers and tears, was heard by God, directly linking Jesus' suffering to the assurance found in this psalm.
Luke 18:7Jesus himself tells a parable about a persistent widow crying out to an unjust judge, promising that God will surely hear the cries of His chosen ones, echoing the theme of God's attentiveness to those who cry out in affliction.
Romans 8:34This verse assures believers that Christ, having died and been raised, now intercedes for us, emphasizing that God has not hidden His face from those in Christ, a direct counterpoint to the feelings of abandonment sometimes experienced in suffering.
John 11:42During the raising of Lazarus, Jesus prays aloud, stating, 'Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me,' reflecting the principle that God hears the cries of His beloved, even in the face of death and despair.
poolePsalms 22:24: "For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard."
He hath not despised: I was despised by the people, Psalm 22:6 , but not by God. Nor abhorred, i.e. he did not turn away his face from it, as men do from things which they abhor, but looked upon it with compassion. Neither hath he hid his face from him, to wit, for ever; for he did so for a time; but now, saith he, he hath lift up up…
calvinPsalms 22:22-24: "I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee."
I will declare thy name to my brethren: in the midst of the assembly will I praise thee. 23. [Saying, [519] ] Ye who fear Jehovah, praise him: all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel. 24. For he hath not despised nor disdained the poor; nor hath he hidden his face from him; and when he cried unto him he heard him.
I will declare thy na…
What's easily missed here is that God's "not hiding his face" wasn't a permanent abandonment, but a temporary distress that was followed by His attentive hearing. This verse highlights that even in moments of apparent divine silence, God's heart remains engaged and responsive to the cries of His suffering children.
This passage marks a significant shift in the psalm, moving from deep anguish to confident praise. The psalmist declares his intention to praise God to his brethren and in the midst of the congregation, framing this resolution as a response to God's unwavering faithfulness. He affirms that even in the midst of extreme suffering, God did not abandon or reject him but heard his cries for help.
This passage marks a significant shift in the psalm, moving from deep anguish to confident praise. The psalmist declares his intention to praise God to his brethren and in the midst of the congregation, framing this resolution as a response to God's unwavering faithfulness. He affirms that even in the midst of extreme suffering, God did not abandon or reject him but heard his cries for help.
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God's Eager Response
What's remarkable is God's response to this cry. He doesn't ignore it, He doesn't dismiss it. He 'heard.' The commentaries emphasize that this hearing is the basis for hope and thanksgiving. It means God is attentive to our deepest distress. He doesn't wait for us to articulate our needs perfectly; He hears the raw, unvarnished cry of the soul. This is the assurance that even in our most broken moments, our pleas reach the ears of our loving Father.
c. 539 BC
Return from Exile
The Persian Empire, led by Cyrus the Great, conquers Babylon. Cyrus permits the exiled Judeans to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple (the Second Temple), marking the end of the Babylonian exile.
c. 30 BC - AD 33— this verse
Jesus' Ministry, Crucifixion, and Resurrection
Jesus Christ, the Messiah, lives, teaches, suffers, and dies on the cross, fulfilling prophecies. His suffering is intense, yet he cries out to God, who hears him and raises him from the dead, validating His sacrifice.
"For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him." — What's easily missed here is that God's "not hiding his face" wasn't a permanent abandonment, but a temporary distress that was followed by His attentive hearing. This verse highlights that even in m…
