The term "longeth" is an archaic English word that appears in the King James Version of the Bible, often used to describe a deep yearning or desire. In the context of Scripture, it is typically associated with a profound spiritual longing for God, His presence, or His righteousness. This concept is deeply rooted in the human experience of seeking fulfillment and purpose through a relationship with the Divine.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Psalm 42:1-2: One of the most well-known uses of the concept of longing in the Bible is found in Psalm 42. The psalmist writes, "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?" . Here, the imagery of a deer longing for water is used to express the psalmist's deep desire for communion with God. This longing is not merely a wish but an intense need, akin to thirst, that can only be satisfied by the presence of God.

2. Psalm 63:1: Another expression of spiritual longing is found in Psalm 63:1, where David declares, "O God, You are my God; earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You, my flesh faints for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water" . This verse highlights the intensity of David's desire for God, comparing it to physical thirst in a parched land. It underscores the idea that true satisfaction and sustenance come from God alone.

3. Psalm 84:2: The sons of Korah express a similar sentiment in Psalm 84:2: "My soul longs, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh cry out for the living God" . This longing is directed towards the dwelling place of God, indicating a desire to be in His presence and to worship Him. The psalmist's entire being—soul, heart, and flesh—is engaged in this yearning, reflecting the holistic nature of true worship.

Theological Implications

The concept of longing in the Bible is closely tied to the idea of spiritual hunger and thirst. It reflects the innate human desire to connect with the Creator, a desire that is often intensified in times of distress or spiritual dryness. This longing is not merely emotional but is rooted in the recognition of God's sovereignty and the believer's dependence on Him for life and sustenance.

In the New Testament, Jesus addresses this spiritual longing in the Beatitudes, saying, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6). Here, the promise of fulfillment is given to those who earnestly seek God's righteousness, indicating that such longing is both commendable and rewarded by God.

Practical Application

For believers, the concept of longing serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining a deep and abiding desire for God. It encourages Christians to seek God earnestly in prayer, worship, and the study of Scripture. This longing should drive believers to pursue a closer relationship with God, recognizing that true fulfillment and peace are found in Him alone.

In a world that often offers temporary and superficial satisfactions, the biblical call to "long" for God challenges believers to prioritize their spiritual lives and to seek the eternal over the temporal. This longing is a testament to the transformative power of God's presence and the ultimate satisfaction that comes from knowing and being known by Him.

In the 84Th Psalm He Longeth Earnestly after the Tabernacle of God
... THE THIRD CENTURY 90 In the 84th psalm he longeth earnestly after the Tabernacle
of God. In the 84th psalm he longeth earnestly after ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/90 in the 84th psalm.htm

"We Shall See Verily the Cause of all Things that He Hath Done ...
... Him: in which thirst He hath drawn His Holy that be now in bliss; and getting His
lively members, ever He draweth and drinketh, and yet He thirsteth and longeth ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter lxxv we shall see.htm

Psalm LXIII.
... And see ye what [2464] longings there are in the hearts of men: one longeth for
gold, another longeth for silver, another longeth for possessions, another ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxiii.htm

Of the Diverse Motions of Nature and of Grace
... and to be in subjection, and to bear the yoke readily; but Grace studieth
self-mortification, resisteth sensuality, seeketh to be subdued, longeth to be ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter liv of the diverse.htm

Of Works of Charity
... He envieth none, because he longeth for no selfish joy; nor doth he desire to rejoice
in himself, but longeth to be blessed in God as the highest good. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xv of works of.htm

Psalm CXXII.
... of ascent. He therefore longeth to ascend. And whither doth he wish to
ascend, save into heaven? What meaneth, into heaven? Doth ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxii.htm

Psalm XLII.
... For the Psalm itself begins with a certain pious "longing;" and he who sings so,
says, "Like as the hart desireth the water-brooks, so longeth my soul after ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xlii.htm

September 13 Morning
... My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my
flesh crieth out for the living God."O God, thou art my God; early will I ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/september 13 morning.htm

July 11 Evening
... O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh
longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; to see thy ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/july 11 evening.htm

I Will Pray with the Spirit and with the Understanding Also-
... "My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth, for the ... Mark ye here, "My soul longeth," it
longeth, it longeth, &c. O what affection is here discovered in prayer! ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/i will pray with the.htm

Longeth (9 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Longeth (9 Occurrences). Genesis 34:8 And Hamor
communed with them, saying, The soul of my son Shechem ...
/l/longeth.htm - 8k

Longevity

/l/longevity.htm - 9k

Yearneth (2 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Psalms 84:2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of Jehovah;
My heart and my flesh cry out unto the living God. (See JPS). ...
/y/yearneth.htm - 7k

Lusteth (6 Occurrences)
... 12:20 When the LORD thy God shall enlarge thy border, as he hath promised thee,
and thou shalt say, I will eat flesh, because thy soul longeth to eat flesh ...
/l/lusteth.htm - 8k

Longs (11 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS RSV). Job 7:2 As a servant that eagerly longeth for the shadow,
and as a hireling that looketh for his wages; (See RSV). ...
/l/longs.htm - 9k

Longest (1 Occurrence)

/l/longest.htm - 6k

Fainteth (11 Occurrences)
... Selah (See JPS). Psalms 84:2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts
of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. ...
/f/fainteth.htm - 9k

Thirsteth (7 Occurrences)
... Psalms 63:1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for
thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is ...
/t/thirsteth.htm - 8k

Pineth (3 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS YLT). Psalms 84:2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts
of Jehovah; My heart and my flesh cry out unto the living God. (See JPS). ...
/p/pineth.htm - 7k

Communed (20 Occurrences)
... Genesis 34:8 And Hamor communed with them, saying, The soul of my son Shechem longeth
for your daughter: I pray you give her him to wife. (KJV ASV WBS). ...
/c/communed.htm - 12k

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