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The application is world-wide. Who is there to whom this description, more or less, does not apply — "The or and needy seek water — there is none — their tongue faileth for thirst"? Is it not the too faithful delineation of weary humanity? It is a commonplace saying, but its truthfulness redeems its triteness, that there is nothing in this world which can satisfy immortal longings. "Thirst again," is the too frequent verdict after its sweetest fountains have been drained. Its best joys leave behind them aching voids, unfulfilled aspirations. After the thirst of its votaries has apparently been quenched at their favourite rills, of riches, honours, ambition, glory, — their name is the same as before, "Poor and needy"; their search is the same as ever, "They seek water"; the epitaph they write over every fresh grave of their hopes is the same, "There is none — their tongue faileth them for thirst." And where, then, is that thirst to be quenched; where else are the wells of water to be had, "springing up into everlasting life," but in the grace and promises of God as revealed in His blessed Word? And, like the waters seen by Ezekiel bursting from the threshold of the sanctuary, "Everything lives whither the river cometh."

(J. R. Macduff, D. D.)

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KJV: When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.

WEB: The poor and needy seek water, and there is none. Their tongue fails for thirst. I, Yahweh, will answer them. I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.