Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain, and crieth out in her pangs; so have we been in thy sight, O LORD.
Like as a woman with child - an image of anguish accompanied with expectation, to be followed by joy that will cause the anguish utterly to be forgotten. Zion is meant, looking for deliverance, seemingly in vain, but really about to be gloriously saved (Micah 4:9-13; Micah 5:1-3; John 16:21-22).