The soul of the sluggard desireth, and [hath] nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
Ver. 4. The soul of the sluggard desireth, &c.] Vult, et non vult piger - so the Vulgate reads it. The sluggard would, and he would not; he would have the end, but he would not use the means; he would "sit at Christ's right hand," but he would not "drink of his cup, or be baptized with his baptism." Lyra compares these men to cats that would fain have fish, but are loath to wet their feet. (This is an English proverb; for Lyra was a famous English Jew, and flourished in the year of grace 1320.) Affection without endeavour is like Rachel - beautiful, but barren.
But the soul of the diligent shall be made fat,] i.e., Those that work as well as wish, that add endeavours to their desires, as 2 Corinthians 8:11. David, ravished with the meditation of the good man's blessedness, presently conceives this desire and pursues it; not, Oh that I had this happiness! but, Oh that I could use the means! "Oh that my ways were so directed." Psa 119:4-5