John Calvin Commentary Daniel 10:9-10

"Yet heard I the voice of his words; and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I fallen into a deep sleep on my face, with my face toward the ground. And, behold, a hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands." — Daniel 10:9-10 (ASV)

In yesterday’s lecture, Daniel acknowledged he was astonished at the sight of the angel and deprived of all inner strength. He later adds, On hearing the sound of his words he threw himself on the ground; for this is the meaning of the ninth verse, as we have just read it.

He describes himself as being in a swoon and in the unconscious state which usually occurs when all our senses are paralyzed by excessive fear. While lying thus, senselessly on the ground, Behold, he adds, hands touched me, and placed me upon my knees and the palms of my hands. He mentions being partially raised by the angel, not only through the sound of his voice but also by the touch of his hand.

He implies that he was not yet raised to either a standing or sitting posture. He was only placed upon his knees with his hands on the ground, this posture being a sign of his dejection. Thus, he was partially relieved, and fear no longer seized his mind or his limbs.

From this passage, we should learn that when we are prostrated by the voice of God, we can be restored only by his strength. We know the hand to be the symbol of strength. Unless God himself stretches out his hand to us, we shall always remain apparently dead. This is one lesson.

The Prophet then adds the angel's words to him—