PSALM 42:1-2 LIVING WATER

The image of human thirst and God providing water is found throughout the Bible. Most of us don't 

worry much about water supplies running short, but it was a different story in a desert climate. 

Literally speaking, there were two prominent events that gave rise to most of the symbolic pictures of 

life-giving water in the Bible: the four rivers flowing out of Eden that provided for life, and God 

providing water in the wilderness out of the rock to quench the people's thirst.

Look at what a few other Biblical writers have to say about thirst.

Isaiah

41:17-20 It is the needy who seek. We must first sense our lack of something in order to seek it out.

44:3 This verse associates water with God's Spirit.

49:10 Here we start to get the idea that there may be sources of spiritual water that never run out.

55:1 It is available to everyone who truly wants it. Also, milk and wine go beyond mere liquid 

subsistence.

What truths can we learn about spiritual thirstiness from each of these passages?

Amos

8:11 There is such a thing as thirsting after the word of God.

Matthew

5:6 Thirsting after righteousness. What does that mean?

C.S. Lewis pointed out that whenever man has a need (food, drink, shelter, sex, etc.) there is a way to 

satisfy it. Thus, when we experience a spiritual void in our life, that means that there must be a real 

source to satisfy it also. A good friend of mine pursued a whole round of hobbies, but abandoned all of 

them when he found God (or God found him).

Thirst after righteousness: Don't thirst after blessedness; it will come with righteousness, the kind that 

only comes from God. The Greek implies “all righteousness,” both forensic and ethical. There are 

differences of opinion on what the word means: salvation, justice in the world, living according to 

God's laws, or being declared right with God.

 

John

4:7-15 If you knew, you would never be thirsty again. There is a parallel in Revelation 21:6; 22:17b.

6:35 Whoever believes will never be thirsty.

4:20-21 Worship on neither mountain. Ultimate fulfillment found in Revelation 21:22 and 22:3.

7:37-39 Out of believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water (Holy Spirit).

To whom are the promises given in each passage?

What promises are given?

Explain exactly what these promises mean.

On the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, perhaps when the altar was doused with water 

commemorating Moses striking rock to bring forth water, Jesus stood up and addressed the crowd.

Living water = running water. Used by Jews for ritual baptisms since it cleanses and refreshes more 

than tepid well water. But it also can be translated “river of life.”

Revelation

7:16-17 no more thirst, Lamb will guide them to springs of the water of life.

22:1-2 river of life, healing

22:17 Everyone who thirsts, come take of the water of life.

Relate this picture of the Heavenly City to that of Eden.

Do you get the idea that in heaven (1) we will no longer need to drink (literally and spiritually) or that 

(2) we will still need to drink, but the supply will be endless?

Tyndale: “'Living fountains of water' shows that the absence of thirst in v. 16 meant the absence of 

unsatisfied desire. The saved will always thirst for God and that thirst will be satisfied.”

Apply this picture to our own lives. We thirst, come to Christ and are filled once for all time (with the 

Holy Spirit) and have extra resources to give others to drink. And we know that ultimately God will 

provide all of the spiritual needs. But does all that mean that we no longer need to “Come Thirsty” or 

drink from the well daily?? Max Lucado asks, “Are we drinking from the well daily?” Discussion: 

There is the problem of getting refreshed when you are always giving, in relation to church activities 

for example

Genesis 2:9-10 we see a river running through Eden watering its gardens, including the Tree of Life. We next encounter the Tree of Life in Revelation 22:1-2.

Several of David's psalms relate to living water.

Psalm 1:1-3 Language found later in Revelation 22:2-5 (tree, leaves, fruit, yielding in season, no more night)

Psalm 42:1-2 As a hart pants for water...When shall I see your face? (Revelation 22:4 fulfillment)

Psalm 63:1 Similar language as in Psalm 42. Verses 9-11 talk about the fate of murderers and liars. (See Revelation 22:9-11)

Note the traditional setting of this Psalm – when David was in the Wilderness fleeing for his life (probably from Absalom).

Another Psalm has a similar setting, this time when David was fleeing from Saul and hiding at En-Gedi. See Psalm 57. Some language is the same as in Psalm 63, and similar themes. (“In the shadow of your wings,” “steadfast love,” enemies trying to destroy David, his confidence in God, praising and glorifying him.) Verse 11 has an echo in Revelation 21:23-26.

1 Samuel 24: Note Saul's words at the end when he sees that David has spared his life. Vv. 19 and 20 // Revelation 22:12,1, respectively.

One of few other references to En-Gedi comes in Ezekiel 47:1,8-10. This vision will have final fulfillment in New Heaven and Earth, as described in Revelation 22:1-2.

dead water = cistern water.

Jeremiah 2:13 cistern digging = relying on our own efforts. More generally, a form of idolatry whenever we place our reliance on anything or anyone besides God. (Fate of idolaters in Revelation 22:15).

[Jeremiah 18:20 They have dug a pit for my life.] (Also in Psalm 57:6) In Jeremiah 38:6ff he was literally put into a cistern and left to die.