Commentary on Psalms - Volume 3 - Bible Study Guides

Comm on Psalms (V3)John Calvinand other genuine believers to repentance, putting them in mind, that the grievous oppression,accompanied with insult and derision, to which they were subjected by the tyranny of their enemies,was to be ascribed entirely to their having driven away the salvation of God from them by theirsins.10. Mercy and truth shall meet together. Here the verbs are in the past tense; but it is evidentfrom the scope of the passage, that they should be translated into the future. I cordially embracethe opinion which is held by many, that we have here a prophecy concerning the kingdom of Christ.There is no doubt, that the faithful lifted up their eyes to Him, when their faith had need ofencouragement and support in reference to the restoration of the Church; and especially after theirreturn from Babylon. Meanwhile, the design of the prophet is, to show how bountifully God dealswith his Church, after he is reconciled to her. The fruits which he represents as springing from thisreconciliation are, first, that mercy and truth meet together; and, secondly, that righteousness andpeace embrace each other From these words, Augustine deduces a beautiful sentiment, and onefraught with the sweetest consolation, That the mercy of God is the origin and source of all hispromises, from whence issues the righteousness which is offered to us by the gospel, while fromthat righteousness proceeds the peace which we obtain by faith, when God justifies us freely.According to him, righteousness is represented as looking down from heaven, because it is the freegift of God, and not acquired by the merit of works; and that it comes from heaven, because it isnot to be found among men, who are by nature utterly destitute of it. He also explains truth springingout of the earth as meaning, that God affords the most incontestable evidence of his faithfulness,in fulfilling what he has promised. But as we ought rather to seek after the solid truth, than exerciseour ingenuity in searching out refined interpretations, let us rest contented with the natural meaningof the passage, which is, that mercy, truth, peace, and righteousness, will form the grand andennobling distinction of the kingdom of Christ. The prophet does not proclaim the praises of men,but commends the grace which he had before hoped for, and supplicated from God only; thusteaching us to regard it as an undoubted truth, that all these blessings flow from God. By the figuresynecdoche, some parts being put for the whole, there is described in these four words all theingredients of true happiness. When cruelty rages with impunity, when truth is extinguished, whenrighteousness is oppressed and trampled under foot, and when all things are embroiled in confusion,were it not better that the world should be brought to an end, than that such a state of things shouldcontinue? Whence it follows, that nothing can contribute more effectually to the promotion of ahappy life, than that these four virtues should flourish and rule supreme. The reign of Christ, inother parts of Scripture, is adorned with almost similar encomiums. If, however, any one wouldrather understand mercy and truth as referring to God, I have no disposition to enter into disputeDr Adam Clarke gives a turn to the text, which still more heightens its effect. “It would be more simple,” says he, “totranslate the original,‘Mercy and truth have met on the way;Righteousness and peace have embraced.’This is a remarkable text, and much has been said on it: but there is a beauty in it, which I think has not been noticed.“Mercy and peace are on one side: truth and righteousness on the other. Truth requires righteousness; mercy calls for peace.“They meet together on the way; one going to make inquisition for sin, the other to plead for reconciliation. Having met,their differences on certain considerations (not here particularly mentioned) are adjusted: their mutual claims are blended togetherin one common interest; on which peace and righteousness immediately embrace. Thus righteousness is given to truth; andpeace is given to mercy. “Now, Where did these meet? — In Christ Jesus. “When were they reconciled? — When He pouredout His life on Calvary.”226