Matthew Poole and continuators on Psalms 22:26

26. The meek shall eat and be satisfied : they shall praise the LORD that seek him ; your heart shall live for ever .

(i. e.) Faithful or Godly Persons, who are frequently called meek ones, as Psal. 25. 9. and 76. 9. and 149. 4. Isa. 11. 4. and 61. 1. Zeph. 2. 3. because the grace of God doth soften and sweeten the Hearts of Sinners, and subdues their Pride and passion, and Rebellion against God, and their fierceness towards men. Or the Power, as this word is oft rendred; which seems well to suit this place, Partly, because these are opposed to the fa[illegible: 1+ letters] ones upon Earth, v. 29. Partly, because the following Eating and Satisfaction may seem most proper and acceptable to such as were in want: Partly, because here is an allusion to the legal Feasts, made of the remainders of the Sacrifices, in which the poor had a share▪ and Partly, because this well agrees to the time of Christ's coming, when the Body of the Jewish Nation were a poor and afflicted people, and the Poor especially did receive the Gospel, Mat. 11. 5.

Which is mentioned as a great Blessing, Io[illegible: 1+ letters]l 2. 26. as it is threatned as a grievous Curse that men should Eat and not be satisfied, Levit. 26. 26. Mich. 6. 14. But because it was Comparatively a poor and mean thing to have ones Belly filled and satisfied, with that food which perisheth and passeth away presently after it is received, this magnificent promise is doubtless to be understood, spiritually of those spiritual Blessings, that Grace and Peace, and Comfort and full Satisfaction, which all believing and pious Souls have in the Sence of God's Love, and the pardon of their Sins, and in the influences of God's Spirit into their Souls.

That seek his Favour: Or that enquire after him, and Labour to know and discern him. Wherein possibly the Spirit of God may intimate to us, the necessity of seeking, and the Difficulty of finding or discovering God, when he shall appear in the Flesh and in the form of a Servant; which was likely to hide him from the Eyes of the Carnal, and Careless Jews, and not to be discerned, but by those that were studious and inquisitive concerning the mind of God revealed in the Scriptures, concerning that matter.

(i. e.) Their: For he speaks of the same Persons still, though there be a change from the third to the second Person, as is usual in those poetical and prophetical Books of Scripture.

(i. e.) Shall be greatly Refreshed and Comforted, Life being oft put for an Happy and Comfortable Life, as 1 Kings 1. 25. Psal. 34. 12. in which respect Iacobs Heart or Spirit is said to have revived, Gen. 45. 27. as on the contrary Nabals Heart was said to have died within him, 1 Sam. 25. 37. when it was oppressed with great sadness.

Your Comfort shall not be short and Transitory, as worldly Comforts are, but everlasting.

Marginal references: Psal. 69. 32.