John Calvin Commentary Psalms 119:91

"They abide this day according to thine ordinances; For all things are thy servants." — Psalms 119:91 (ASV)

By thy judgments they continue to this day. The word, היום, hayom, which, following other interpreters, I have translated to this day, might not improperly be rendered daily, or every day. In that case, however, the sense would be substantially the same, for the prophet means that the whole order of nature depends solely upon the commandment or decree of God.

In using the term judgments, he makes an allusion to the law, intimating that the same regard to rectitude which is exhibited in the law is brightly displayed in every part of God’s procedure. From this it follows that men are very perverse when, by their unbelief, they do what they can to shake and impair the faithfulness of God, upon which all creatures repose; and, moreover, when by their rebellion they impeach His righteousness and deny the authority of His commands, upon which the stability of the whole world depends.

It is a harsh manner of expression to say that all the elements are God’s servants; but it expresses more than if it had been said that all things are ready to yield obedience to Him. How can we account for it that the air, which is so thin, does not consume itself by blowing incessantly?

How can we account for it that the waters do not waste away by flowing, except on the principle that these elements obey the secret command of God? By faith, it is true, we perceive that the continued existence of the world is owing to the fiat of God; but all who have the smallest pretension to understanding are led to the same conclusion, from the manifest and undoubted proofs of this truth, which everywhere meet their eye.

Let it then be thoroughly impressed upon our minds that all things are so governed and maintained by the secret operation of God, that their continuing in the same state is owing to their obeying His commandment or word. We must always remember the point which the prophet aims at: that God’s faithfulness, which shines forth in His external works, may gradually lead us higher, until we attain such a persuasion of the truth of heavenly doctrine as is entirely free from doubt.