O LORD God, turn not away the face of thine anointed: remember the mercies of David thy servant.
The verse is the closing appeal of Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the temple after it was erected. Solomon offered this prayer vocally and aloud while kneeling on a brazen scaffold in the court, in the presence and hearing of all Israel, with his hands lifted toward heaven while the congregation bowed with faces to the ground. It is a solemn, earnest plea for God not to turn His face away from His anointed king but to receive him and continue showing favor to him, on the ground of the covenant mercies He had promised to David His servant. It follows the request for God to arise into His resting place with the ark of His strength and for priests to be clothed with salvation and saints to rejoice in goodness, and it seals the whole prayer for God's open eyes, attentive ears, forgiveness, and dwelling in the house built for His name.
After the prayer ended, the Lord sent fire from heaven that consumed the burnt offering and appeared to Solomon by night saying He had heard the prayer. The account shows that public, vocal prayer before the assembled people was practiced. The dedicatory prayer expresses lofty piety and deep humility. It teaches that God is not confined to a temple, but meets His people by His Spirit when they gather for worship, visits and encourages them wherever they are, and may be worshiped by His children in every place.
The verse is the closing appeal of Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the temple after it was erected. Solomon offered this prayer vocally and aloud while kneeling on a brazen scaffold in the court, in the presence and hearing of all Israel, with his hands lifted toward heaven while the congregation bowed with faces to the ground. It is a solemn, earnest plea for God not to turn His face away from His anointed king but to receive him and continue showing favor to him, on the ground of the covenant mercies He had promised to David His servant. It follows the request for God to arise into His resting place with the ark of His strength and for priests to be clothed with salvation and saints to rejoice in goodness, and it seals the whole prayer for God's open eyes, attentive ears, forgiveness, and dwelling in the house built for His name.
After the prayer ended, the Lord sent fire from heaven that consumed the burnt offering and appeared to Solomon by night saying He had heard the prayer. The account shows that public, vocal prayer before the assembled people was practiced. The dedicatory prayer expresses lofty piety and deep humility. It teaches that God is not confined to a temple, but meets His people by His Spirit when they gather for worship, visits and encourages them wherever they are, and may be worshiped by His children in every place.