John Calvin Commentary Psalms 119:155

"Salvation is far from the wicked; For they seek not thy statutes." — Psalms 119:155 (ASV)

Safety is far from the wicked. Fully persuaded that the world is governed by the secret providence of God, who is a just judge, the Prophet draws from that source the doctrine that the wicked are far removed from safety, and safety from them. From this proceeds the confidence of prayer; for as God is turned away from the despisers of his word, so he is ready to aid his servants.

It should be noted that when the Prophet saw that his enemies were elated by their prosperity, he, on the contrary, lifted up his heart by faith so that he might come to the settled conviction that all their delights were cursed and tended to destruction.

So whenever the wicked prosper in the world according to their wishes, so that, being pampered to the full, they exult in their own fatness, let us learn, in order to defend ourselves, to take hold of this shield which the Holy Spirit is holding out to us: namely, that they will at last miserably perish, because they do not seek the commandments of God.

From this we draw a contrary doctrine: that although genuine believers, while they walk sincerely in the fear of God, may be as sheep appointed to the slaughter, yet their salvation, which is under the special care and protection of God’s secret providence, is near at hand. In this sense, the Prophet adds in the following verse,