John Calvin Commentary Psalms 102:2

"Hide not thy face from me in the day of my distress: Incline thine ear unto me; In the day when I call answer me speedily." — Psalms 102:2 (ASV)

Hide not your face from me in the day of my affliction. The prayer that God would not hide his face is far from being unnecessary. As the people had been languishing in captivity for nearly seventy years, it might seem that God had forever turned away his favor from them. But they are, nevertheless, commanded, in their extreme affliction, to turn to prayer as their only remedy. They affirm that they cry in the day of their affliction, not as hypocrites are accustomed to do, who utter their complaints in a disorderly way, but because they feel that they are then called by God to cry to him.

Make haste, answer me. Having spoken more fully of these forms of expression elsewhere, it is enough for now to briefly observe that when God permits us to lay open our weaknesses before him without reserve, and patiently bears with our foolishness, he shows great tenderness toward us. To pour out our complaints before him like little children would certainly be to treat his Majesty with very little reverence, if he had not been pleased to allow us such freedom. I purposely use this illustration so that the weak, who are afraid to draw near to God, may understand that they are invited to him with such gentleness that nothing may hinder them from approaching him familiarly and confidently.