John Calvin Commentary Psalms 119:46

"I will also speak of thy testimonies before kings, And shall not be put to shame." — Psalms 119:46 (ASV)

And I will speak of your testimonies before kings. In these words, he seems to believe that he is in possession of what he previously prayed for. Having said, Take not away the word out of my mouth, and now, as if he had obtained what he requested, he rises up and maintains he will not be silent, even if he were called upon to speak in the presence of kings.

There can be no question that he affirms he would willingly stand forward in vindication of the glory of God in the face of the whole world. He selects kings, who are generally more dreaded than other men, and haughtily shut the mouths of God’s witnesses. Sometimes, indeed, it happens we will not stand firm even in the presence of people of the humblest ranks of life.

The moment a man sets himself in opposition to the word of God, we instinctively shrink back from fear, and that boldness of speech, of which we boasted at first, instantly disappears. But our lack of courage is most evident when we are summoned before the thrones of kings. And this is the reason why David asserts that he will not only stand firm against enemies among the lowliest of people, but also will remain firm and fearless before kings.

These words inform us that we have truly profited from God’s word when our hearts are so completely fortified against the fear of man that we do not dread the presence of kings, even though all the world attempts to fill us with dejection and dismay. It is very unfitting that God’s glory should be obscured by their empty splendor.