[It is] good that [a man] should both hope and quietly
wait,
&c.] This follows from the former; for if God is good to
such, it must be good for them to hope and wait for him; it is
both their duty and their interest: and it may be observed, that
hope is the ground of patient waiting, and is here promised to
it; where there is no hope of a thing, there will be no waiting
for it, much less quietly: hope is of things unseen, future,
difficult, and yet possible, or there would be no hope; and where
there is that, there will be waiting; for "if we hope for that we
see not, then do we with patience wait for it", ( Romans 8:25 ) ; here in
the original text it is, "hope, and be silent" F26; or,
"a good man will both hope" or "wait, and be silent" F1; that
is, under the present dispensation, though an afflictive one; men
should be still, as David exhorts, and be dumb, as he was; and
hold their peace, as Aaron did, at such seasons: not that they
should indulge a stoical apathy, or be insensible of their
condition, and disregard the rod, and him that has appointed it,
or be altogether silent and speechless; but should own the hand
of God, and their deserts, cry to him for deliverance, be
thankful it is no worse, and speak of the gracious dealings of
God with them; yet should not murmur and complain, or charge God
foolishly; but be resigned to his will, and wait the issue of
Providence quietly, even wait for the salvation of the
Lord;
for temporal deliverance from outward evils and present
afflictions, and for spiritual and eternal salvation. The saints,
under the Old Testament, waited for Christ, the author of
salvation, appointed and promised by the Lord. He is come, and
has obtained salvation, which is published in the Gospel.
Sensible sinners are made acquainted with their need of it, and
see the fulness and suitableness of it, and are earnestly
desirous of knowing their interest in it; this is not immediately
had; it is good to wait quietly for it, in an attendance on the
word and ordinances; and this being come at, still the complete
enjoyment is yet behind: saints are now heirs of it, are kept
unto it; it is nearer them than when they believed; Christ will
appear unto it, and it becomes them to wait patiently for it;
which will be a salvation from the very being of sin; from the
temptations of Satan; from all troubles inward and outward; from
all troublesome persons and things; from all doubts, fears,
darkness, and unbelief; and will consist in perfect happiness and
glory, and is worth waiting for.