CAPH.
The opening of this portion is also very beautiful, in reference to the Lord Jesus, who waited with longing expectation for the time of his being manifested unto Israel. Hence we find him, in the days of his flesh, longing for the time of his baptism, as he graciously called it and as being straitened until it was accomplished, Luke 12:50. He seemed to long for the hour; and hence, through the whole of the Old Testament dispensation, all the ordinances instituted were types and shadows of good things to come, as if to tell his people that he waited with anxiety for the period to arrive, when he should enter upon the work of redemption, which he had covenanted with the Father to perform, for the saving of his church and people. Reader! it is a blessed thing, when the souls of the redeemed faint for Jesus and his salvation, in their ardent desires after him, as Jesus fainted with holy longings for finishing the work the Father gave him to do. Psalms 42:1-2. It is no small beauty in this portion of the Psalm, that as the first verse opens with an account of the soul's fainting with longing desires; so the last verse ends with earnest cries, for the quickening influence; of the Spirit. Reader! I do not know what correspondence your experience may have to these things; but I know that the souls of God's people, who most desire to feel the faintings after Jesus; will complain most of standing in need of his quickening influences. Oh! for grace to improve the love of Jesus to the soul, by going in that love after farther discoveries of his love and grace, and panting after larger, fuller, and more frequent manifestations of it continually. Precious Jesus! grant me this mercy, and let me have continual actings of faith upon thy glorious person and righteousness, until my whole soul is filled with thee, and thy love! Song of Solomon 2:5.