John Calvin Commentary Psalms 119:176

"I have gone astray like a lost sheep; Seek thy servant; For I do not forget thy commandments." — Psalms 119:176 (ASV)

I have wandered like a lost sheep. He is not to be understood as here confessing his sins — an opinion erroneously held by many — as if he had been drawn into the trails of Satan; for this is inconsistent with the second clause, in which he denies that he had forgotten God’s law.

It is a poor solution to this difficulty to say that, before the time of his calling, he was a wandering sheep, but that from the time of his calling he was devoted to godliness — or that in straying he was withheld by some godly affection from utterly casting off the fear of God; for the same time is undoubtedly referred to in both clauses.

Again, it is easy to gather that the two clauses of this verse ought to be connected by although, or notwithstanding, or some other such particle, as the Latins call adversative, as if the Prophet had said, Although I have wandered about like a lost sheep, yet I have not forgotten the law of God.

His meaning, I conceive, is that he wandered because, being chased by the force and violence of his enemies, he moved from place to place in great fear, seeking retreats in which he might hide himself. We know for certain that David was so hunted that in his exile he could nowhere find a secure place.

This analogy would therefore aptly apply to him because, although driven away and hunted by his persecutors, he yet never turned aside from the law of God.

Moreover, as wolves pursued him everywhere, he prays God to bring him back and give him a place of safety and tranquillity, so that he might at last cease his wandering here and there, and cease being like a vagabond.

He had a very good reason to believe that he would be heard, based on the fact that although provoked by numerous wrongs, he yet never swerved from the fear of God.

This statement, however, should be understood as referring to the general course of his life rather than to particular acts. Although when he fell into adultery he continued for a time in a state of insensibility, it cannot be denied that in his adversities he was restrained by a holy patience, so as to persevere in pursuing righteousness.