John Calvin Commentary Psalms 119:158

"I beheld the treacherous, and was grieved, Because they observe not thy word." — Psalms 119:158 (ASV)

I saw the treacherous and scolded them. In this verse, the Psalmist proceeds further, declaring that he was inflamed with holy zeal when he saw the law of God despised by the wicked.

However, expositors are not agreed about one word in the text, namely, the verb אתקוטטה, ethkotatah, which we have translated as chid. Some derive it from קוט, kut, which often means to debate or contend with (it is in the hithpael conjugation), while others derive it from קטט, karat, which means to kill or to destroy. I adopt the former interpretation because it is more generally accepted by scholars and is most appropriate.

The Prophet then teaches that he was so inflamed with zeal for the law of God that he could no longer endure the wicked mockery directed against it. However, the verb debate can be understood to refer both to the vexation or anger he felt within himself and to the rebuke he openly administered to those who despised God. Therefore, some translate it as I shuddered or I was grieved.

And certainly, no one will enter into debate with others to maintain God's glory unless he is first agitated within himself and has been grieved at heart. Indeed, this holy indignation is almost always followed by transitive action; that is, it passes from thought to effect.

In short, we are admonished by the Prophet's example that we ought to feel such displeasure at the contempt of God’s word that our hearts grow hot, even to the point of chiding. First, then, let grief affect us inwardly. Next, whenever an opportunity presents itself, let us strenuously endeavor to repress the insolence and pride of the wicked. Let us not hesitate to do so from fear of provoking their resentment against us.