John Calvin Commentary Psalms 119:162

"I rejoice at thy word, As one that findeth great spoil." — Psalms 119:162 (ASV)

I have rejoiced at thy word as one who hath found great spoil. No gain, it is well known, brings greater joy than that which conquerors acquire from the spoil of their enemies; for to the gain is added the glory of triumph, and when profit comes suddenly, the delight experienced is all the greater from that circumstance.

This is the reason why David compares the knowledge he had obtained of heavenly doctrine with spoils rather than with other riches. By these words, he intimates that his greatest joy was derived from the word of God, to which no gain, however desirable, could in any way approach.

From this we learn that he was contented with the word of God, as that in which all his delight was found and in which he found solid felicity. This, however, would not have been possible unless he first withdrew his heart from all depraved desires.

Nor is it surprising to find David placing the whole sum of a happy life in the word of God, in which he well knew the treasure of eternal life to be included and offered to him through free adoption.