John Calvin Commentary Psalms 119:120

"My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; And I am afraid of thy judgments. AYIN." — Psalms 119:120 (ASV)

My flesh hath trembled for fear of thee. At first sight, the prophet seems to contradict himself. He had just now said that, by God’s severity, he was gently drawn to love his testimonies; now he declares that he was seized with terror. But although these two effects differ widely from each other, yet if we consider by what kind of discipline God forms us to reverence his law, we will perceive that they entirely harmonize.

We need to be subdued by fear so that we may desire and seek the favor of God. Since fear, then, is the beginning of love, the prophet testifies that he was awakened by a heartfelt fear of God to pay close attention to himself. Nor is the mortification of the flesh such an easy matter that everyone would consent to undertake it without forceful constraint; and, therefore, it is not surprising if God struck his servant with terror, so that in this way he might bend his mind to a holy fear of him.

It is evidence of no common wisdom to tremble before God when he executes his judgments, which most people ignore. We are then taught by these words of the prophet that we should attentively consider the judgments of God, so that they may not only gently instruct us but also strike us with such terror as will lead us to true repentance.

CHAPTER 17.