Commentary on Psalms - Volume 3 - Bible Study Guides

Comm on Psalms (V3)John Calvin10. Wilt thou perform a miracle for the dead? By these words the prophet intimates, that God,if he did not make haste to succor him, would be too late, there being scarce anything betwixt himand death; and that therefore this was the critical juncture, if God was inclined to help him, forshould the present opportunity not be embraced another would not occur. He asks how long Godmeant to delay, — if he meant to do so till death intervened, that he might raise the dead by amiracle? He does not speak of the resurrection at the last day, which will surpass all other miracles,as if he called it in question; yet he cannot be vindicated from the charge of going to excess, for itdoes not belong to us to prescribe to God the season of succouring us. We impeach his power ifwe believe not that it is as easy for him to restore life to the dead as to prevent, in proper season,the extreme danger which may threaten us from actually lighting upon us. Great as has been theconstancy of the saints, it has always had some mixture of the infirmity of the flesh, which hasrendered it necessary for God, in the exercise of his fatherly clemency, to bear with the sin withwhich even their very virtues have been to a degree contaminated. When the Psalmist asks, Shallthy loving-kindness be declared in the grave? he does not mean that the dead are devoid ofconsciousness; but he pursues the same sentiment which he had previously stated, That it is a moreseasonable time to succor men, whilst in the midst of danger they are as yet crying, than to raisethem up from their graves when they are dead. He reasons from what ordinarily happens; it notbeing God’s usual way to bring the dead out of their graves to be witnesses and publishers of hisgoodness. To God’s loving-kindness or mercy he annexes his truth or faithfulness; for when Goddelivers his servants he gives a confirmation of his faithfulness to his promises. And, on the otherhand, he is influenced to make his promises by nothing but his own pure goodness. When theprophet affirms, that the divine faithfulness as well as the divine goodness, power, and righteousness,are not known in the land of forgetfulness, some deluded persons foolishly wrest the statement tosupport a gross error, as if it taught that men were annihilated by death. He speaks only of theordinary manner in which help is extended by God, who has designed this world to be as a stageon which to display his goodness towards mankind.13. But to thee have I cried, O Jehovah! There may have been a degree of intemperateness inthe language of the prophet, which, as I have granted, cannot be altogether vindicated; but still itwas a sign of rare faith and piety to persevere as he did with never-failing earnestness in prayer.This is what is meant when he says, that he made haste in the morning; by which he would haveus not to imagine that he slowly and coldly lingered till he was constrained by dire necessity. Atthe same time, he modestly intimates by these words, that his pining away in long continued miserieswas not owing to his own sluggishness, as if he had not sought God. This is an example particularlyworthy of notice, that we may not become discouraged if it happen sometimes that our prayers arefor a time unsuccessful, although they may proceed from the heart, and may be assiduouslypersevered in.Psalm 88:14-1814. Wherefore, O Jehovah! wilt thou reject my soul? and hide thy face from me? 15. I amafflicted, and ready to die from my youth; I have suffered thy terrors by doubting. 16. Thy wrathshave passed over me: thy terrors have cut me off. 17. They have daily encompassed me like waters:250