Commentary on Psalms - Volume 3 - Bible Study Guides

Comm on Psalms (V3)John Calvin14. Because he hath trusted in me, I will deliver him. It may prevent any feeling of disgust orweariness under the repetition and enlargement of the Psalmist upon his present subject, to remember,that, as I have already observed, he is influenced in this by a due consideration of our weakness,ever indisposed, as we are upon the approach of danger, to exercise a due reliance upon theprovidence of God. With this view he now introduces God himself as speaking, and confirming byhis own voice what had already been asserted. And here it is noticeable that God, in declaring fromheaven that we shall be safe under the wings of his protection, speaks of nothing as necessary onthe part of his people but hope or trust. For the Hebrew verb , chashak, which signifies to desire,or love, or, as we commonly express it, to find our delight in any object, means here to rest with asweet confidence in God, and rejoice in his favor. He engages to extend us assistance, if we seekhim in sincerity. The language implies that we must be continually surrounded by death anddestruction in this world, unless his hand is stretched out for our preservation. Occasionally heassists even unbelievers, but it is only to his believing people that his help is vouchsafed, in thesense of his being their Savior to the true extent of that term, and their Savior to the end. Theirknowing the name of God is spoken of in connection with their trust and expectation; and veryproperly, for why is it that men are found casting their eyes vainly round them to every quarter inthe hour of danger, but because they are ignorant of the power of God? They cannot indeed be saidto know God at all, but delude themselves with a vague apprehension of something which is notGod, a mere dead idol substituted for him in their imaginations. As it is a true knowledge of Godwhich begets confidence in him, and leads us to call upon him; and as none can seek him sincerelybut those who have apprehended the promises, and put due honor upon his name, the Psalmist withgreat propriety and truth represents this knowledge as being the spring or fountain of trust. Thatthe doctrine which he teaches was needful we may learn from the senseless and erroneous mannerin which the Papists speak of faith. While they inculcate an implicit adherence to God, they burythe word which opens up the only access which men can have to him. The expression to exalt orlift up on high means no more than to keep in a state of safety or security; but the reason of thismetaphor is, that God preserves his people in an extraordinary manner, raising them, as it were, tosome high and impregnable fortress.15. He shall call upon me. He now shows more clearly what was meant by trusting in God, orplacing our love and delight in him. For that affection and desire which is produced by faith, promptsus to call upon his name. This is another proof in support of the truth, which I had occasion to touchupon formerly, that prayer is properly grounded upon the word of God. We are not at liberty in thismatter, to follow the suggestions of our own mind or will, but must seek God only in so far as hehas in the first place invited us to approach him. The context, too, may teach us, that faith is notidle or inoperative, and that one test, by which we ought to try those who look for Divinedeliverances, is, whether they have recourse to God in a right manner. We are taught the additionallesson, that believers will never be exempt from troubles and embarrassments. God does not promisethem a life of ease and luxury, but deliverance from their tribulations. Mention is made of his, which strictly signifies calcabis, thou shalt tread; and as to trample on the nations, and to make his enemies his footstool,are expressions used to signify the subduing and triumphing over them; to tread on the lion and the serpent may be understoodin the same sense.”Cresswell thinks it probable that the language of this verse is proverbial. “The course of human life,” he remarks, “is inScripture compared to a journey; and the dangers described in this verse were common to the wayfaring man in the Psalmist’stime and country.”295