Commentary on Psalms - Volume 3 - Bible Study Guides

Comm on Psalms (V3)John Calvinwith him. 477 The springing of truth out of the earth, and the looking down of righteousness fromheaven, without doubt imply, that truth and righteousness will be universally diffused, as well aboveas beneath, so as to fill both heaven and earth. It is not meant to attribute something different toeach of them, but to affirm in general, that there will be no corner of the earth where these qualitiesdo not flourish.12. Likewise, Jehovah will grant prosperity. Some take this verse allegorically, and interpret itof the increase of spiritual blessings; but this does not agree with the particle , gam, renderedlikewise, by which the prophet, in my opinion, intends to express the completeness of that blessednessof which he had spoken. He therefore mentions the fruit of the earth, as an additional proof of God’ssurpassing beneficence. The chief happiness of the Church is comprehended in these four blessingswhich he had specified; but the provision which is required for the support of our bodies ought notto be considered as unworthy of attention, provided our care about this matter is kept within properbounds. If it is objected that these two subjects — the spiritual kingdom of Christ, and the fruitfulnessof the earth, are improperly intermingled, it may be easily observed in reply, that there is nothingat all incongruous in this, when we consider that God, while he bestows upon his people spiritualblessings, gives them, in addition to these, some taste of his fatherly love, in the outward benefitswhich relate to the life of the body; it being evident from the testimony of Paul, that“godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that whichis to come,” (1 Timothy 4:8.)But let it be observed, that the faithful generally have only granted to them a limited portion ofthe comforts of this transitory life: that they may not be lulled asleep by the allurements of earth.I have therefore said, that, while on earth, they only taste of God’s fatherly love, and are not filledwith an overflowing abundance of the good things of this world. Moreover, we are taught from thisverse, that the power and capacity of the earth to produce fruit for the sustenance of our bodies wasnot given to it once for all, — as the heathen imagine God at the first creation to have adapted eachelement to its proper office, while he now sits in heaven in a state of indolence and repose; — butthat the earth is from year to year rendered fruitful by the secret influence of God, who designshereby to afford us a manifestation of his goodness.13. Righteousness shall go before him. The word righteousness is taken by some for a righteousperson; but this is unnatural. Viewed in this light, the passage, indeed, contains the useful andimportant truth, That the righteous man will walk before God, and will make it his object to regulateall his actions according to the principles of moral rectitude. But there being no necessity forwresting the word righteousness so violently, it will be better to adopt the more correct and simpleview, which is, that under the reign of Christ order will be so well established, that righteousnesswill walk before God, and occupy every path. The prophet seems thus to call back the attention ofthe faithful to what constitutes the chief elements of blessedness; for although God may grant tohis servants an abundant supply of sustenance for the body, it is unbecoming for them to have theirhearts set upon this. And in truth, one difference between us and the lower animals is, that God,instead of pampering and stuffing our bellies, for the mere gratification of our animal appetites,directs our views to higher and more important objects. When it is said that righteousness shall gobefore God, the meaning is, that the prevalence and unobstructed course of righteousness, whichis equivalent to setting her steps in the way, is to be attributed to the appointment of God. Isaiah,477 “Pource qu’on luy defend de se trouver en public et que chacun la repousse.” — Fr.227