John Calvin Commentary Psalms 107:43

"Whoso is wise will give heed to these things; And they will consider the lovingkindnesses of Jehovah." — Psalms 107:43 (ASV)

Whosoever is wise, so as to observe these things. We are now informed that people begin to be wise when they turn their whole attention to the contemplation of the works of God, and that all others besides are fools. For however much they may pride themselves on their superior acuteness and subtlety, all this is to no effect as long as they shut their eyes against the light which is presented to them.

In employing this questioning form of address, he indirectly alludes to that false belief which prevails in the world, at the very time when the most daring heaven-despiser considers himself to be the wisest of men; as if to say, that all those who do not properly observe the providence of God will be found to be nothing but fools.

This caution is all the more necessary, since we find that some of the greatest philosophers were so perverse as to devote their talents to obscure and conceal the providence of God; entirely overlooking his agency, they ascribed all to secondary causes.

Chief among these was Aristotle, a man of genius and learning. But being a pagan, whose heart was perverse and depraved, it was his constant aim to entangle and perplex God’s overruling providence by a variety of wild speculations—so much so, that it can truthfully be said that he employed his naturally acute powers of mind to extinguish all light.

Moreover, the prophet not only condemns the insensate Epicureans, whose insensibility was of the basest character, but he also informs us that a blindness, still greater and more detestable, was to be found among these great philosophers themselves. By the term observe, he informs us that the mere perception of the works of God is not enough; they must be carefully considered so that the knowledge of them may be deliberately and maturely digested.

And therefore, so that it may be engraved upon our hearts, we must make these works the theme of our attentive and constant meditation. When the prophet says, Whosoever is wise, even they shall understand, the change from the singular to the plural number is beautifully appropriate. By the singular, he tacitly complains of the small number of those who observe the judgments of God, as if to say, How seldom do we find a person who truly and attentively considers the works of God!

Then he alludes to the fact that these works are so visibly before all that it would be impossible for people to overlook them, if it were not that their minds are perverted by their own wickedness.

And if anyone is inclined to ask how it is that the prophet, after discussing the judgments and severity of God, now mentions his loving-kindness, I answer that his loving-kindness shines most conspicuously and occupies a very prominent place in all that he does. For he is naturally inclined to loving-kindness, by which he also draws us to himself.