Commentary on Psalms - Volume 3 - Bible Study Guides

Comm on Psalms (V3)John CalvinPsalm 71:14-1614. But I will hope continually, and will add 111 to all thy praise. 15. My mouth shall recountthy righteousness and thy salvation daily; for I know not the number thereof. 16. I will go in thestrengths of the Lord Jehovah! I will make mention of thy righteousness only.14. But I will hope continually. David again, as having obtained the victory, prepares himselffor thanksgiving. There is, however, no doubt, that during the time when the wicked derided hissimplicity, he struggled manfully amidst his distresses, as may be gathered from the word hope.Although, to outward appearance, there was no prospect of deliverance from his troubles, andalthough the wicked ceased not proudly to pour contempt upon his trust in God, he neverthelessdetermined to persevere in the exercise of hope; even as it is a genuine proof of faith, to lookexclusively to the Divine promise, in order to be guided by its light alone amidst the thickestdarkness of afflictions. The strength, then, of the hope of which David speaks, is to be estimatedby the conflicts which he at that time sustained. In saying, I will add to all thy praises, he showsthe confidence with which he anticipated a desirable escape from his troubles. It is as if he had said— Lord, I have been long accustomed to receive benefits from thee, and this fresh accession tothem, I doubt not, will furnish me with new matter for celebrating thy grace.15. My mouth shall recount thy righteousness Here he expresses more clearly what sacrifice ofpraise he resolved to present to God, promising to proclaim continually his righteousness andsalvation. I have often before had occasion to observe, that the righteousness of God does not meanthat property of his nature by which he renders to every man his own, but the faithfulness whichhe observes towards his own people, when he cherishes, defends, and delivers them. Hence theinestimable consolation which arises from learning that our salvation is so inseparably linked withthe righteousness of God, as to have the same stability with this Divine attribute. The salvation ofGod, it is very evident, is taken in this place actively. The Psalmist connects this salvation withrighteousness, as the effect with the cause; for his confident persuasion of obtaining salvationproceeded solely from reflecting that God is righteous, and that he cannot deny himself. As he hadbeen saved so often, and in so many different ways, and so wonderfully, he engages to apply himselfcontinually to the celebration of the grace of God. The particle , ki, which we have translated for,is by some rendered adversatively although, and explained in this way: Although the salvation ofGod is to me incomprehensible, and transcends my capacity, yet I will recount it. But the propersignification of the word is more suitable in this place, there being nothing which ought to be moreeffectual in kindling and exciting our hearts to sing the praises of God, than the innumerable benefitswhich he has bestowed upon us. Although our hearts may not be affected from having experiencedonly one or two of the Divine benefits; although they may remain cold and unmoved by a smallnumber of them, yet our ingratitude is inexcusable, if we are not awakened from our torpor andindifference when an innumerable multitude of them are lavished upon us. Let us learn then not totaste of the goodness of God slightly, and, as it were, with loathing, but to apply all our facultiesto it in all its amplitude, that it may ravish us with admiration. It is surprising that the authors of111 Horsley reads, “‘I shall be added,’ or ‘made an addition;’ literally, ‘be-made-to-be-added to the sum of thy praise.’” “Thesense is,” says he, “that the mercies to the Psalmist would furnish the servants of God with a new topic of praise and thanksgiving.”55