O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.
The cry is an appeal for God not to remain at a distance but to draw near with speedy aid. It belongs to the time when human strength is failing and life is in peril. In Hezekiah's mortal illness it gave voice to complete dependence on God and to a pressing request for help. The reason for the request was that his life might be prolonged so he could continue to bear witness to God's power before coming generations.
The cry is an appeal for God not to remain at a distance but to draw near with speedy aid. It belongs to the time when human strength is failing and life is in peril. In Hezekiah's mortal illness it gave voice to complete dependence on God and to a pressing request for help. The reason for the request was that his life might be prolonged so he could continue to bear witness to God's power before coming generations.