Now she that is a widow indeed
A real widow, whom the Jews F18 call (hrwmg) , "a perfect one", in opposition to one
that is divorced, or a brother's widow, that has had the shoe
plucked off for her: and such an one as the apostle means, is one
that is
desolate,
or "alone": who has neither husband to take care of her, nor
children or nephews to show kindness to her, nor any worldly
substance to subsist upon:
but trusteth in God:
not in man, nor in an arm of flesh, but in the living God, the
giver of all good things, the Judge of widows; who vindicates
their cause, avenges the injuries done them, protects and defends
them, and relieves their wants, and gives all encouragement to
them, to trust in him; see ( Jeremiah
49:11 ) .
and continueth in supplications and prayers night and
day;
as the widow Anna did, ( Luke 2:36 Luke 2:37 ) . A Widow
indeed is one that has no outward dependence, betakes herself to
the Lord, puts her confidence in him, and cries to him
continually for a daily supply; and such an one, amidst all her
poverty and meanness, is a living believer, one that lives by
faith on the Lord; and is profitable, and useful to the church by
her prayers and supplications made for them, as well as for
herself; whereas she that is in the next verse described is just
the reverse.