John Calvin Commentary Psalms 109

O God of my praise! be not silent In these words, which can be considered an introduction to the psalm, David declares that he neither could find nor would desire anyone other than God to stand forward in vindication of the integrity of his heart. For in calling Him the God of his praise, he entrusts to Him the vindication of his innocence against the slander by which he was almost universally assailed.

Some are of the opinion that this phrase should be understood as referring to David actually declaring that he himself was the proclaimer of God’s praises. However, the context of the passage opposes such an interpretation, because we find David appealing to God’s judgment against the unjust and cruel hatred he faced in the world.

There is an implied contrast in these words because, when slander is rampant, innocence is truly and properly valued by God alone. The meaning of the passage is this: “Lord, although I may be regarded as the vilest of the vile and exposed to the world’s reproach, You will maintain the uprightness of my character, and for this reason You will also proclaim my praise.”

This interpretation corresponds well with what immediately follows, be not silent. For when we are overwhelmed by the slander of the wicked, it would surely be improper for God, who is the witness of our innocence, to remain silent. At the same time, what I previously stated must not be forgotten: that while David mourns over the specific injuries he was suffering, in his own person he represented Christ and the entire body of His Church.

From this we are taught that when we are subjected to every kind of indignity by men, we should rest with perfect confidence under God’s protection alone. No man, however, can, with a sincere heart, surrender himself entirely into God’s hand unless he has first resolved to treat the world’s reproaches with contempt and is also fully convinced that God is the defender of his cause.

Because the mouth of the wicked—David here very plainly declares that he was all the more anxious to obtain help from God because justice was not found among men. And though it is probable that he was rashly and furiously assailed, nevertheless, he complains that the mouth of deceit and fraud had been opened against him and that he was surrounded with false tongues. Therefore, to those who were ignorant of his real situation, there would appear to be some plausible pretext for his being loaded with reproaches, so much so, indeed, that he would not be able to evade the charge of criminality.

And they have encompassed me. He complains that from all quarters he was assailed with the most hostile and abusive epithets, and this, most undeservedly. And, using a beautiful comparison, he shows that the tongues of his enemies were so full of deadly poison that it was harder for him to endure their attacks than those of a great army, and all the more so because he deserved no such treatment from them.

This type of warfare, to which God very frequently summons his children, must be carefully considered by us. For though Satan may assault them with open violence, yet since he is the father of lies, he endeavors, with the amazing dexterity he possesses in heaping calumny upon them, to tarnish their reputation, as if they were the most depraved of mankind.

Now, just as what was prefigured by David was fulfilled in Christ, so we must remember that what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ is daily being filled up in believers (Colossians 1:24); because he, having once suffered in himself, calls them to be sharers and associates with him in his sufferings.

On account of my love they have been opposed to me. The Psalmist had already solemnly declared that his adversaries, unprovoked by any injury he inflicted on them and without any just cause, became, through mere diabolical rage, his most implacable foes. Here he confirms the truth of that declaration by saying that he had been their friend. For there is far more merit in showing kindness to an enemy than simply abstaining from doing what is evil.

And from this we may perceive that the influence of Satan must be terribly powerful when he takes the hearts of men captive at his will. For nothing can be more unnatural than to hate and cruelly persecute those who love us. To love he also adds deeds of kindness, meaning that it was his aim to secure their goodwill by outward acts of beneficence.

But I gave myself to prayer Some are of the opinion that these words refer to David’s pouring out a prayer for his enemies at the very moment when they were furiously assaulting him, and with this opinion corresponds what we have stated in Psalm 35:13. But the more straightforward, and, to me, the preferable interpretation, is that when he was attacked in a cruel and hostile manner, he did not resort to such unlawful means as returning evil for evil, but committed himself into the hand of God, fully satisfied that He alone could protect him from all harm.

And it is certainly a great and desirable attainment for a man to restrain his passions so as to appeal directly and immediately to God’s tribunal, at the very time when he is abused without cause, and when the very injuries he sustains are likely to provoke him to avenge them.

For there are some people who, while aiming to live on friendly terms with good people, imagine, when encountering evil men, that they are perfectly free to return injury for injury; and to this temptation all godly people feel they are susceptible.

The Holy Spirit, however, restrains us, so that though often provoked by the cruelty of our enemies to seek revenge, we nevertheless abandon all fraudulent and violent means, and turn through prayer to God alone. By this example, which David here sets before us, we are instructed that we must resort to the same means if we wish to overcome our enemies through the power and protection of God.

In Psalm 69:13, we have a parallel passage: They that sit in the gate spake against me; and I was the song of those who drink strong drink. But my prayer was made to thee, O Jehovah! In that passage, as well as in the present one, the mode of expression is elliptical.

Besides, David’s design in these words is to inform us that although he was aware that the whole world was opposed to him, yet he could cast all his cares upon God, and this was enough to make his mind calm and composed. And as the Holy Spirit taught David and all godly people to offer up prayers like these, it must follow that those who imitate them in this respect will be promptly helped by God when He sees them reproachfully and vilely persecuted.