Poetic Descriptions Of God's Character Bringing Comfort
Poetic Descriptions of God's Character Bringing Comfort
The biblical portrayal of God's character is replete with poetic descriptions that bring comfort to believers. One such description is found in Zephaniah 3:17, which speaks of God's joy and delight in his people [2]. This verse is cited in Torrey's Topical Textbook as an example of the joy God has over his people, emphasizing God's loving and caring nature.
The Psalms are particularly rich in poetic descriptions of God's comforting character. Psalm 107:30 expresses the joy of those who are brought to their desired haven, highlighting God's role as a comforter [1]. Psalm 71:21 assures believers that God's comfort is a manifestation of his presence, care, and goodness. The psalmist notes that God's comfort enhances their sense of being alive [7].
The Bible describes God's character as merciful, gracious, and abundant in goodness and truth (Exodus 34:6-7; Psalm 86:15) [4, 10]. According to John Calvin, this passage comprehends whatever may be known of God by man, showcasing his genuine countenance [10]. God's mercy is described as great, rich, manifold, plenteous, abundant, sure, and everlasting [4].
The comfort God provides is not limited to specific circumstances but is available in all tribulations. The apostle Paul writes that God "comforteth us in all our tribulation" (2 Corinthians 1:4) [3, 8]. John Gill interprets this verse as a reason for thanksgiving, confirming God's character as "the God of all comfort" [8]. This comfort is not just a feeling but is rooted in God's presence and care.
In Isaiah 66:13, God is likened to a mother comforting her child, illustrating the depth of his comfort [9]. This maternal imagery conveys the tenderness and nurturing aspect of God's character. According to John Gill, God is the sole efficient cause of comfort, and his comfort is a manifestation of his perfections [9].
The names given to certain individuals in the Bible also reflect God's comforting character. For example, "Meshelemiah" means "peace, or perfection, of the Lord," and "Mahanem" means "a comforter" [5, 6]. These names highlight the significance of God's character in providing comfort and peace to his people.
The biblical descriptions of God's character bring comfort to believers by assuring them of his presence, care, and goodness. As Matthew Henry notes, God's comfort is a reason for thanksgiving and praise [11]. The poetic descriptions of God's character in the Bible serve as a reminder of his loving and merciful nature, providing comfort to those who are afflicted or distressed.
The comfort God provides is not just a temporary solution but is rooted in his eternal character. As the psalmist writes, "The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever" (Psalm 138:8) [not in sources, rephrased to fit]. God's comfort is a manifestation of his enduring love and mercy, which are fundamental aspects of his character.
Sources
- Psalms “Then they are glad because it is calm, so he brings them to their desired haven. -- Psalms 107:30”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Joy of God Over His People, The — Greatness of, described -- Zep 3:17. On account of their Repentance. -- Lu 15:7,10. Faith. -- Heb 11:5,6. Fear of him. -- Ps 147:11. Praying to him. -- Pr 15:8. Hope in his mercy. -- Ps 147:11. Meekness. -- Ps 149:4. Uprightness. -- 1Ch 29:17; Pr 11:20. Leads to him Prosper them. -- De 30:9. Do them good. -- De 28:63; Jer 32:41. Deliver them. -- 2Sa 22:20. Comfort them. -- Isa 65:19. Give them the inheritance. -- Nu 14:8. Illustrated -- Isa 62:5; Lu 15:23,24. Exemplified Solomon. -- 1Ki 10:9.”
- II Corinthians “II Corinthians 7:6 (BBE) — But God who gives comfort to the poor in spirit gave us comfort by the coming of Titus;”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Mercy of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ex 34:6,7; Ps 62:12; Ne 9:17; Jon 4:2,10,11; 2Co 1:3. Described as Great. -- Nu 14:18; Isa 54:7. Rich. -- Eph 2:4. Manifold. -- Ne 9:27; La 3:32. Plenteous. -- Ps 86:5,15; 103:8. Abundant. -- 1Pe 1:3. Sure. -- Isa 55:3; Mic 7:20. Everlasting. -- 1Ch 16:34; Ps 89:28; 106:1; 107:1; 136:1-26. Tender. -- Ps 25:6; 103:4; Lu 1:78. New every morning. -- La 3:23. High as heaven. -- Ps 36:5; 103:11. Filling the earth. -- Ps 119:64. Over all his works. -- Ps 145:9. Is his delight -- Mic 7:18. Manifested In the sending of Christ. ”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Meshelemiah — peace, or perfection, of the Lord”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Mahanem — a comforter”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 71:21: 71:21 Being assured of God’s comfort also assures the poet of God’s presence, care, and goodness (23:4, 6; 86:17). God’s comfort enhances the psalmist’s sense of being alive (see 119:50).”
- 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 1:4: Who comforteth us in all our tribulation,.... The apostle in this verse gives a reason of the former thanksgiving, and at the same time confirms the above character of God, as "the God of all comfort", by his own experience, and that of his fellow ministers; who, though they had been in great tribulation and affliction for the sake of Christ, and his Gospel, yet were not left destitute of divine help and support under their trials; but had much consolation and sweet refreshment administered to them by the presence of God with them, the application of his promise”
- Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 66:13: As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you,.... Though ordinances are means, and ministers are instruments of comfort, God is the sole efficient cause of it; and very wonderful it is that he should condescend to administer it, since he is an immense and infinite Being, the high and lofty One, possessed of all perfections, and yet deigns to revive the spirit of the humble and contrite; since he is the Maker of heaven and earth, and all things, and those he comforts are dust and ashes; and especially since they have sinned against him, and rendered themse”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 26: he is the just punisher of the wicked, especially when they continue obstinate notwithstanding of all his forbearance. 2. There are certain passages which contain more vivid descriptions 88 of the divine character, setting it before us as if his genuine countenance were visibly portrayed. Moses, indeed, seems to have intended briefly to comprehend whatever may be known of God by man, when he said, “The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgivi”
- 2 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Corinthians 1:3: After the foregoing preface, the apostle begins with the narrative of God's goodness to him and his fellow-labourers in their manifold tribulations, which he speaks of by way of thanksgiving to God, and to advance the divine glory (Co2 1:3-6); and it is fit that in all things, and in the first place, God be glorified. Observe, I. The object of the apostle's thanksgiving, to whom he offers up blessing and praise, namely, the blessed God, who only is to be praised, whom he describes by several glorious and amiable titles. 1. The God and Father of our Lord Jesu”