Commentary on Psalms - Volume 3 - Bible Study Guides

Comm on Psalms (V3)John Calvinviolence, and others proceed to wrong-doing insidiously and by secret arts. Moreover, we knowthat supreme sovereignty, both in heaven and earth, has been given to Christ, (Matthew 28:18,)that he may defend his people not only from all temporal dangers, but especially from all theharassing annoyances of Satan, until having delivered them at length from all trouble, he gatherthem into the everlasting rest of his heavenly kingdom.15. And he shall live. To refer the word live to the poor, as some do, seems forced. What Davidaffirms is, that this king shall be rewarded with long life, which is not the least of God’s earthlyblessings. The words which follow are to be read indefinitely, that is to say, without determiningany particular person; 140 as if it had been said, The gold of Arabia shall be given him, and prayersshall everywhere be made for his prosperity. There is thus again a repetition of what had beenpreviously said concerning his power; for if Arabia shall pay him tribute, how vast an amount ofriches will be gathered from so many countries nearer home! Christ, it is true, does not reign tohoard up gold, but David meant to teach by this figure, that even the nations which were mostremote would yield such homage to him, as to surrender to him themselves and all that theypossessed. It is no uncommon thing for the glory of the spiritual kingdom of Christ to be portrayedunder images of outward splendor. David, in conformity with this usual style of Scripture, has hereforetold that the kingdom of Christ would be distinguished for its wealth; but this is to be understoodas referring to its spiritual character. Whence it appears how wickedly and wantonly the Papistshave perverted this passage, and made it subserve their purpose of raking to themselves the perishableriches of the world. Moreover, when he speaks of the common prayers of the people, by whichthey will commend the prosperity of the king to the care of God, he intimates that so well-pleasedwill they be with being his subjects, that they will account nothing so desirable as to yield entiresubmission to his authority. Many, no doubt, reject his yoke, and hypocrites fret and murmur secretlyin their hearts, and would gladly extinguish all remembrance of Christ, were it in their power; butthe affectionate interest here predicted is what all true believers are careful to cultivate, not onlybecause to pray for earthly kings is a duty enjoined upon them in the Word of God, but also becausethey ought to feel a special desire and solicitude for the enlargement of the boundaries of thiskingdom, in which both the majesty of God shines forth, and their own welfare and happiness areincluded. Accordingly, in Psalm 118:25, we will find a form of prayer dictated for the whole Church,That God would bless this king; not that Christ stands in need of our prayers, but because he justlyrequires from his servants this manifestation or proof of true piety; and by it they may also exercisethemselves in praying for the coming of the kingdom of God.Psalm 72:16-20140 “C’est a dire, sans determiner quelque certaine personne.” — Fr. In the Hebrew, the three last verbs of the verse are in thesingular number, in the future of kal active, and there is no nominative with which they agree. Calvin translates them literally:“Et dabit ei de auro Seba: et orabit pro eo semper, quotidie benedicit eum;” “And shall give to him of the gold of Sheba, andshall pray for him continually, daily shall bless him.” But, on the margin of the French version, he thus explains the construction:“C’est, on luy donnera, etc., on priera, etc., on benira.” “That is, the gold of Sheba shall be given to him, prayer shall be madefor him continually, and daily shall he be blessed.”69