A.T. Robertson Commentary Revelation 7:17

"for the Lamb that is in the midst of the throne shall be their shepherd, and shall guide them unto fountains of waters of life: and God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes." — Revelation 7:17 (ASV)

In the midst (ανα μεσον). In 5:6 we have εν μεσω του θρονου as the position of the Lamb, and so that is apparently the sense of ανα μεσον here as in Mt 13:25, though it can mean "between," as clearly so in 1 Corinthians 6:5.

Shall be their shepherd (παιμανε αυτους). "Shall shepherd them," future active of ποιμαινω (from ποιμην, shepherd), in Joh 21:16; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2; Revelation 2:27; 7:17; 12:5; 19:15. Jesus is still the Good Shepherd of his sheep (John 10:11,14ff.). Cf. Psalms 23:1.

Shall guide them (οδη γησε αυτους). Future active of οδηγεω, old word (from οδηγος, guide, Matthew 15:14), used of God's guidance of Israel (Exodus 15:13), of God's guidance of individual lives (Psalms 5:9), of the guidance of the Holy Spirit (John 16:13), of Christ's own guidance here (cf. John 14:4; Revelation 14:4).

Unto fountains of waters of life (επ ζωης πηγας υδατων). The language is like that in Isa 49:10; Jeremiah 2:13. Note the order, "to life's water springs" (Swete) like the Vulgate ad vitae fontes aquarum, with emphasis on ζωης (life's). For this idea see also Joh 4:12,14; 7:38f.; Revelation 21:6; 22:1,17. No special emphasis on the plural here or in 8:10; 14:7; 16:4.

And God shall wipe away (κα εξαλειψε ο θεος). Repeated in 21:4 from Isa 25:8. Future active of εξαλειφω, old compound, to wipe out (εξ), off, away, already in 3:5 for erasing a name and in Ac 3:19 for removing the stain (guilt) of sin.

Every tear (παν δακρυον). Old word, with other form, δακρυ, in Lu 7:38,44. Note repetition of εκ with οφθαλμων (out of their eyes). "Words like these of vv. 15-17 must sound as a divine music in the ears of the persecuted. God will comfort as a mother comforts" (Baljon).