Commentary on Psalms - Volume 3 - Bible Study Guides

Comm on Psalms (V3)John CalvinGod, therefore, declares that it is his office to set in order and adjust those things which are inconfusion, that, entertaining this expectation, we may be sustained and comforted by means of itin all our afflictions.3. The earth is dissolved, and all its inhabitants. Many commentators are of opinion that thesewords are properly applicable to Christ, at whose coming it behoved the earth and its inhabitantsto be shaken. He reigns, as we know, that he may destroy the old man, and he commences hisspiritual kingdom with the destruction of the flesh; but he conducts his administration in such amanner as that afterwards there follows the restoration of the new man. Of the second part of theverse, I will establish the pillars of it, they make the same application, explaining it as if Christ hadsaid, As soon as I come into the world, the earth with its inhabitants shall melt and be dissolved;but immediately after I will establish it upon firm and solid foundations; for my elect ones, renewedby my Spirit, shall no longer be like grass or withered flowers, but shall have conferred upon themnew and unwonted stability. I do not, however, think that such a refined interpretation ever enteredinto the mind of the prophet, whose words I consider as simply meaning, that although the earthmay be dissolved, God has the props or supports of it in his own hand. This verse is connected withthe preceding; for it confirms the truth that God in due time will manifest himself to be an impartialand righteous judge; it being an easy matter for him, although the whole fabric of the world werefallen into ruins, to rebuild it from its decayed materials. At the same time, I have no doubt thatthere is a reference to the actual state of things in the natural world. The earth occupies the lowestplace in the celestial sphere, and yet instead of having foundations on which it is supported, is itnot rather suspended in the midst of the air? Besides, since so many waters penetrate and passthrough its veins, would it not be dissolved were it not established by the secret power of God?While, however, the prophet alludes to the natural state of the earth, he, nevertheless, rises higher,teaching us, that were the world even in ruins, it is in the power of God to re-establish it.4. I said to the fools, Act not foolishly. 255 After he has set the office of God full in his own viewand in the view of the faithful, he now triumphs over all the ungodly, whom he impeaches ofmadness and blind rage, the effect of their despising God, which leads them to indulge to excessin pride and self-gloriation. This holy boasting to which he gives utterance depends upon thejudgment, which in the name of God he denounced to be at hand; for when the people of God expectthat he is coming to execute judgment, and are persuaded that he will not long delay his coming,they glory even in the midst of their oppressions. The madness of the wicked may boil over andswell with rage, and pour forth floods to overwhelm them; but it is enough for them to know thattheir life is protected by the power of God, who can with the most perfect ease humble all pride,and restrain the most daring and presumptuous attempts. The faithful here deride and despisewhatever the wicked plot and conspire to execute, and bid them desist from their madness; and incalling upon them to do this, they intimate that they are making all this stir and commotion in vain,resembling madmen, who are drawn hither and thither by their own distempered imaginations. Itis to be observed, that the Psalmist represents pride as the cause or mother of all rash and audaciousenterprises. The reason why men rush with such recklessness upon unlawful projects most certainlyis, that blinded by pride, they form an undue and exaggerated estimate of their own power. Thisbeing a malady which is not easily eradicated from the hearts of men, the admonition, Lift not up255 “Or, Be not mad.” The verb is , tahollu, from , halal, he was mad, boasting — Bythner112