Commentary on Psalms - Volume 3 - Bible Study Guides

Comm on Psalms (V3)John Calvinconsideration that they are temporary alleviates sorrow; but his continual displeasure causes poorand wretched sinners to sink into utter despair. If, therefore, we also would find matter for patienceand consolation, when we are under the chastening hand of God, let us learn to fix our eyes on thismoderation on the part of God, by which he encourages us to entertain good hope; and from it letus rest assured, that although he is angry, yet he ceases not to be a father. The correction whichbrings deliverance does not inflict unmitigated grief: the sadness which it produces is mingled withjoy. This end all the prophets endeavored to keep in view in the doctrine which they delivered.They, no doubt, often make use of very hard and severe language in their dealings with the people,in order, by inspiring them with terror, to break and subdue their rebellion; but whenever they seemen humbled, they immediately address them in words of consolation, which, however, would beno consolation at all, were they not encouraged to hope for future deliverance.The question may here be asked, whether God, with the view of assuaging the sadness arisingfrom the chastisement, which he inflicted, always determined the number of years and days duringwhich they would last? To this I answer, that although the prophets have not always marked outand defined a fixed time, yet they frequently gave the people assurance that deliverance was nearat hand; and, moreover, all of them spoke of the future restoration of the Church. If it is againobjected, that the people in their affliction did wrong in not applying to themselves the generalpromises, which it is certain were the common property of all ages, I answer, that as it was God’susual way to send in every affliction a messenger to announce the tidings of deliverance, the people,when at the present time no prophet appeared to be expressly sent for that purpose, not withoutcause complain that they were deprived of the signs of the Divine favor which they had beenaccustomed to enjoy. Until the coming of Christ it was highly necessary that the memory of thepromised deliverance should be renewed in every age, to show the people of God that to whateverafflictions they might be subjected, he still continued to care for them, and would afford themsuccor.10. How long, O God! shall the adversary reproach? Here it is intimated that nothing inflictedupon them greater anguish than when they saw the name of God blasphemed by the ungodly. Bythis manner of praying, the object of the inspired writer was to kindle in our hearts a zeal formaintaining the Divine glory. We are naturally too delicate and tender for bearing calamities; butit is a decided proof of genuine godliness, when the contumely which is cast upon God grieves anddisquiets our minds more than all our own personal sufferings. The poor Jews, there can be nodoubt, were assailed with more kinds of reproach than one under a most cruel tyrant, and amongsta barbarous nation. But the prophet, speaking in the person of the whole Church, makes almost noaccount of the reproaches cast upon the people in comparison of the execrable blasphemies directedagainst God; according to the statement contained in Psalm 69:9, “The reproaches of them thatreproached thee are fallen upon me.” The phrase for ever is again added; for when the ungodlycontinue long unpunished, this has a hardening effect, and renders them more audacious, especiallywhen the revilings which they pour forth against God seem to pass unnoticed by him. It is, therefore,added immediately after in the 11th verse,11. How long wilt thou withdraw thy hand? It is easy to see what the prophet here intends, andyet interpreters are not agreed as to the words. Some by the word hand, in the first part of the verse,understand the left hand, to distinguish it from the right hand, mentioned in the last clause of theverse. But this is mere trifling; for when he uses the term right hand, he simply repeats the samething according to his usual manner. Some translate the verb , kalah, the last word of the verse,103