F.B. Meyer reflects on David's longing for the water from the well of Bethlehem, symbolizing a deep desire for the innocence and joy of childhood. He emphasizes that while it is natural to yearn for the past, true fulfillment is found in Jesus, who offers living water that quenches our deepest thirst. Meyer contrasts the purity gained through faith and the richness of experiences gained through suffering with the fleeting joys of youth. He encourages believers to seek solace in Christ, who provides peace and hope beyond earthly circumstances. Ultimately, he calls us to drink from the eternal well of life that Jesus offers freely.

A.W. Tozer emphasizes the deep longing for God that characterized the lives of holy men and women throughout history. He reflects on Moses' passionate plea to know God better, illustrating that true desire for God leads to a more profound experience of His presence and glory. Tozer laments the lack of such fervent desire in contemporary believers and calls for a restoration of this longing in the hearts of Christians today. He encourages a relentless pursuit of God, suggesting that the sweetness of finding Him is magnified by the depth of our seeking.

Keith Simons teaches on Psalm 42, illustrating David's deep longing for God during his exile from Jerusalem due to Absalom's rebellion. He emphasizes the metaphor of a deer thirsting for water, paralleling David's soul's desperate desire for the living God. Simons explains how David's tears and prayers sustain him in his distress, despite the taunts of his enemies questioning God's presence. The sermon highlights the importance of hope in God, even in the darkest times, as David reassures himself of God's faithfulness and love. Ultimately, Simons encourages believers to trust in God as their rock and source of strength.

A.W. Tozer emphasizes the deep spiritual longing for God, comparing it to a deer's thirst for water. He expresses a profound awareness of his need for God's grace and a desire to cultivate a greater longing for Him. Tozer acknowledges his shame over a lack of desire and pleads for a fresh outpouring of God's love and glory in his life. He prays for the grace to rise from spiritual complacency and pursue a deeper relationship with God. The sermon is a heartfelt call to seek God earnestly and to be filled with an insatiable thirst for His presence.

Thomas Brooks emphasizes the profound sorrow that accompanies the loss of God's gracious presence, illustrating that this loss is the most significant and embittering of all. He reflects on the deep longing for God, as expressed in the Song of Solomon, and how the absence of divine companionship can overshadow all other worldly losses. Brooks urges believers to remain humble and recognize that no earthly comfort can replace the joy of God's presence, which is essential for the soul. He warns that recovering this divine presence requires earnest effort, including heartfelt prayers and tears.

J.R. Miller emphasizes the blessedness of longing, arguing that while it may initially seem undesirable, it is a vital aspect of spiritual growth and health. He points out that true longing reflects a deep desire for righteousness and a closer relationship with God, which is essential for spiritual vitality. Miller illustrates that longing is not synonymous with discontent but rather a hopeful state that drives us toward greater holiness and communion with God. He encourages believers to transform their longings into active pursuits, reminding them that mere desire without action is unproductive. Ultimately, longing is portrayed as a divine impulse that leads to the fulfillment of God's blessings in our lives.