[All men, if they knew their state, are indeed " poor and needy :" but the generality think themselves " rich and. in- creased with goods." God's people, however, feel their poverty and need. They are deeply sensible how destitute they are of wisdom, strength, &c]
They ardently desire to be endued with holiness
and comfort —
[Water, as having a cleansing and refreshing quality, may well be understood to mean holiness and comfort; and. these are the chief objects of a Christian's pursuit. They long to be " delivered from the body of sin and death." They desire to be walking always in the light of God's countenance. They leave no means untried for the accomplishing of their wishes.]
But they often seem to be labouring in vain ; " they seek water, and find none" —
[They strive for victory, but the conflict remains: cor- ruptions still at times harass and defile their souls ; deadness and darkness still occasionally return upon them ; and the blessedness they pant after seems as distant as ever.]
Their frequent disappointments create much dejec- tion of mind ; " their tongue faileth," &c. —
[" Hope deferred maketh their heart sick." They faint, as a traveller after a long and fruitless search for water. They begin to conclude that God will not hear their prayers. They fear that he " has forsaken and forgotten them." Such dili- gence, disappointment, and despondency were not unknown to Davidb.]
But in the text we have, II. Suitable consolation administered —
A desponding person could not dictate more suitable matter of consolation. The character here given of God is not without great force —
[The desponding person thinks his case too hard to be remedied, and his sins too heinous to be forgiven. He is here reminded what a God he has to deal with. God is " the Lord " and with whom nothing is impossible0, whose mercy is infinite d, whose love is unchangeable6. He is "the God of Israel f,"
b Ps. xlii. 1, 2, 3, 7, 9. and Ps. lxxxviii. 1, 3, G, 7, 14.
c Jer. xxxii. 27. d Exod. xxxiv. 6. e Mai. iii. 6.
f This title is very significant : it is as though God said ' Remem- ber my servant Jacob, to what a distressing state he was reduced, how he wrestled with me all night in prayer, and yet did not prevail : re- member, how I made as though I would leave him ; yea, how I lamed him, and thus apparently increased his calamity. But he would not
927.] CONSOLATION FOR THE DESPONDING. 1 l!)
who, however long he may try his people, will certainly bless them at last. Thus do these titles of God justify that con- soling declaration5.]
The promises here made by God are exactly suited to the caseh —
[" I will hear:" what an encouragement to continue in prayer! " I will not forsake thee :" what can the fainting soul desire more1? "The most discouraging circumstances shall be no bar to my favours." " Apparent impossibilities shall be surmounted by me k." " Nor shall my communications to you be either small or transient1."]
Every one who relies on these promises shall expe- rience consolation from them —
[David bears his testimony that his cries were not in vainm; and all who plead like him, shall find reason to make his acknowledgments ".]
Address —
1. Those who are unconcerned about the blessings of salvation —
[The generality know but little of spiritual troubles ; but their exemption from them is by no means to be desired. They at the same time have no interest in these precious pro- mises : they taste not the rich consolations of the Gospel ; and how will " their tongue fail for thirst " in the eternal world ! Let all then seek to know their spiritual wants. Let them obey
let me go, unless I blessed him. I therefore not only blessed him, but changed his name, and conferred a singular honour upon him by calling my church after his name. Thus did I shew myself his God ; and thus will I be, yea, thus I am the God of all who call upon me after his example.' Or perhaps it refers rather to Exod. xvii. 1 — 6. where his supplying of Israel with water is mentioned.