This Psalm is another that David prays when he is being threatened by enemies. This time he describes his feeling of despair to being in the desert. He feels spiritual weariness, hunger and thirst because the word of the Lord is missing. It has dried up like a stream in the desert heat. He desires that the Lord replenish him, slake his thirst and give him guidance and encouragement. Certainly we can all identify with this imagery for we too have often been in the spiritual desert, that is, if we are honest enough to admit it. At such times we do not hear the Lord and his relief seems far away. We cry out to God however, because though we cannot hear Him He hears us.
Often in the middle of the night we are awake because there are so many concerns plaguing our minds. At such times we must call out to the Lord because when we do we can begin to experience a measure of comfort and peace. We realize that God is there willing to listen to our complaints no matter how long, deep, angry or troubling they are. That is one of the great things about our God: He never tires of hearing our grumblings. Our fellow Christians and our relatives often do. They get to a point where they just get so frustrated with us that they tell us to cut it out and get on with it. They think we should not have such troubles. Others cope, why can’t we? I know this well as I have experienced it myself, many times, in churches from Christians and in my family.
In effect such people want only to hear good things not pain and sorrow. They cut us off in the midst of our despair without offering any real help. God may tell us to get on with life but as He does He comes alongside us and carries us through. He provides constructive guidance and solace as well as the strength and ability to carry out His counsel. And that helps us feel and act better.
Theophany: Meeting With God In His Word 