Commentary on Psalms - Volume 3 - Bible Study Guides

Comm on Psalms (V3)John Calvinthe true and only God, is an explanation of the first. The opinion of some, that by the clouds, orthe heavens, is to be understood the sun, moon, and stars, is disproved by the context itself. Theamount then is, that even in the heavens, God alone has the entire pre-eminence, having there noneas a companion or equal. The appellation the sons of the gods is here given to angels, because theyneither have their origin from the earth, nor are clothed with a corruptible body, but are celestialspirits, adorned with a Divine glory. It is not meant that they are a part of the Divine essence orsubstance, as some fanatics dream; but as God displays his power in them, this title is attributed tothem, to distinguish between their nature and ours. In short, although a greater majesty shines forthin the angels than in other creatures, at the contemplation of which we are ravished with admiration,yet come they not near God, so as to obscure and impair his glory by their excellence, or to sharewith him in the sovereignty of the universe. This is a point worthy of our careful attention; for,although God everywhere declares in his word that the angels are only his servants, and alwaysready to execute his commands, yet the world, not contented with having only one God, forges foritself a countless number of deities.To the same effect is the following verse, in which it is affirmed, that God is very terrible inthe assembly of the saints. In these words is censured that devilish superstition, to which almost allmen are prone, of exalting angels beyond measure, and without reason. But if the angels themselvestremble, and are afraid before the Divine Majesty, why should they not be regarded as subjects,and kept in their own rank, that God alone may have the sovereignty entirely to himself? Farther,when they are represented as around God, the meaning is, that they surround his royal throne likebody-guards, and are always ready to execute his behests. In the subsequent verse the same thingis repeated yet again, Who is a strong God as thou art? and this is done, that at least the fear of theDivine Majesty may teach us to beware of robbing him of the honor which belongs to him. Thatwe may not, however, by too much fear, be prevented from approaching him, some portion ofsweetness is intermingled with this description, when it is declared, that his truth is to be seen roundabout him on all sides; by which we are to understand, that God is always steadfast in his promises,and that whatever changes may happen, he nevertheless continues invariably true, both before andbehind, on the right hand and on the left. 528Psalm 89:9-149. Thou governest the pride of the sea: when the waves thereof rise up, thou restrainest them10. Thou hast overthrown Egypt, as a wounded man; 529 with thy mighty arm [literally, with thearm of thy strength] thou hast scattered thy enemies. 11. The heavens are thine, the earth also is528 Ainsworth reads, “God is daunting terrible.” The original word is , naarats, from , arats, he was broken, bruised,terrified. “An epithet of God,” says Bythner “as though breaking all things.”529 Hammond’s explanation of the words, And thy truth is round about thee, conveys a striking and beautiful idea. “The eleganceof the phrase (which is poetical) seems to be taken,” says he, “from the style of angels, verse 7th, where they are described asthey that encompass God; signifying, that as they wait upon God, and execute his will, so, far above the strength of those, God’sfidelity, his care to perform his promise exactly encompasses him, is ready prest to perform all that he hath ever promised todo.” — Hammond.256