Commentary on Psalms - Volume 3 - Bible Study Guides

Comm on Psalms (V3)John Calvinme now, when I am decayed and almost withered, but the more I stand in need of thy help, let thedecrepitude and infirmities of age move thee to compassionate me the more.” From this verseexpositors, not without good reason, conclude that the conspiracy of Absalom is the subject treatedof in this psalm. And certainly it was a horrible and tragical spectacle, which tended to lead, notonly the common people, but also those who excelled in authority, to turn away their eyes fromhim, as they would from a detestable monster, when the son, having driven his father from thekingdom, pursued him even through the very deserts to put him to death.10. For my enemies have said of me, etc. He pleads, as an argument with God to show himmercy, the additional circumstance, that the wicked took greater license in cruelly persecuting him,from the belief which they entertained that he was rejected and abandoned of God. The basest ofmen, as we all know, become more bold and audacious, when, in tormenting the innocent, theyimagine that this is a matter in which they have not to deal with God at all. Not only are theyencouraged by the hope of escaping unpunished; but they also boast that all comes to pass accordingto their wishes, when no obstacle presents itself to restrain their wicked desires. What happened toDavid at that time is almost the ordinary experience of the children of God; namely, that the wicked,when once they come to believe that it is by the will of God that his people are exposed to themfor a prey, give themselves uncontrolled license in doing them mischief. Measuring the favor ofGod only by what is the present condition of men, they conceive that all whom he suffers to beafflicted are despised, forsaken, and cast off by him. Such being their persuasion, they encourageand stimulate one another to practice every thing harassing and injurious against them, as personswho have none to undertake and avenge their cause. But this wanton and insulting 109 procedure ontheir part ought to encourage our hearts, since the glory of God requires that the promises whichhe has so frequently made of succouring the poor and afflicted should be actually performed. Theungodly may flatter themselves with the hope of obtaining pardon from him; but this foolishimagination does not by any means lessen the criminality of their conduct. On the contrary, theydo a double injury to God, by taking away from him that which especially belongs to him.12. O God! be not far from me. It is scarcely possible to express how severe and hard a temptationit was to David, when he knew that the wicked entertained the persuasion that he was rejected ofGod. They did not without consideration circulate this report; but after having seemed wisely toweigh all circumstances, they gave their judgment on the point as of a thing which was placedbeyond all dispute. It was therefore an evidence of heroic fortitude on the part of David, 110 thus torise superior to their perverse judgments, and, in the face of them all, to assure himself that Godwould be gracious to him, and to betake himself familiarly to him. Nor is it to be doubted that, incalling God his God, he makes use of this as a means of defending himself from this hard andgrievous assault.While invoking the aid of God, he at the same time prays (verse 13) that his enemies may befilled with shame until they be consumed. These words, however, may not improperly be read inthe future tense; for it is frequently the practice of David, after having ended his prayer, to rise upagainst his enemies, and, as it were, to triumph over them. But I have followed that which seemsmore agreeable to the scope of the passage. Having had occasion elsewhere to explain thisimprecation, it is unnecessary for me to repeat, in this place, what I have previously said.109 “Atqui proterva haec eorum insultatio.” — Lat. “Mais cest enrage desdain et outrage.” — Fr.110 “Parquoy c’a este une vertu a David plus qu’humaine.” — Fr. “It was therefore fortitude more than human for David.”54