Commentary on Psalms - Volume 3 - Bible Study Guides

Comm on Psalms (V3)John CalvinPSALM 87A Psalm or Song of the sons of Korah.It is evident, from constant observation, that, so long as the children of this world are inprosperity, they are well satisfied with their condition, and mightily extol it, while they look uponthe Church with proud contempt; and even after having endured calamities, they are not so subduedby them as to renounce the foolish presumption by which they are intoxicated. Meanwhile theyrecklessly despise all religion, and the worship of God, because, contenting themselves withpleasures, riches, and the splendor of honor, they fancy themselves to be happy without him. Andthen it often happens, that the Lord pampers them with all kind of good things, purposing at lengthto inflict upon them merited punishment for their ingratitude, when the fit season shall have arrived;while, on the contrary, he loads his Church with various and grievous afflictions, or, at least, keepsher in a low and despised condition, so that she may seem to herself to be miserable, or she is atleast exposed to the contempt of others. That the faithful may not be deceived with this shadowyappearance of things, it is of importance to recall their attention to a different subject, that they maybe persuaded of the truth of what is stated in Psalm 33:12,“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his owninheritance.”(Psalm 33:12)What we are taught in this psalm may be summed up in this, That the Church of God far excelsall the kingdoms and politics of the world, inasmuch as she is watched over, and protected by Himin all her interests, and placed under his government; that, in the first place, amidst the violentcommotions and dreadful storms with which the whole world is often shaken, she may continuesafe; and, in the second place, and principally, that being wonderfully preserved by the protectionof the same God, she may at length, after the toil and struggle of a protracted warfare, be crownedwith the triumphant laurels of her high calling. It is in truth a singular benefit of God, and at thesame time, a signal miracle, that, amidst the great and various revolutions of the kingdoms of thisworld, he enlarges her continually from age to age, and preserves her from destruction; so that inthe whole world there is nothing enduring but the Church. As, however, it often happens, that whilstthe wicked abound in riches, and have lavished upon them worldly possessions and authority, theafflicted Church is tossed amidst many dangers, or rather, is so overwhelmed with impetuous floodsas to seem to be entirely shipwrecked, her happiness must be considered as consisting principallyin this, that she has reserved for her an everlasting state in heaven.An attention to the time when this psalm was composed will contribute, in no small degree, toa clear understanding of its contents. Although the people had returned from their captivity inBabylon; although the Church of God had been again gathered together, and united into one bodyafter a long dispersion; although the temple had been rebuilt, the altar set up, and the service ofGod restored; yet, as of a vast multitude of people, there was only a small portion remaining, whichmade the condition of the Church very low and despised, — as the number left was daily diminishedby their enemies, — and as the temple was far inferior in magnificence to what it originally was;— all this being considered, the faithful had hardly any ground to entertain favorable hopes as tothe future. It certainly seemed impossible that they would ever again be raised to their former statefrom which they had fallen. There was, therefore, reason to apprehend that the minds of the godly,237