John Calvin Commentary Psalms 140:6

"I said unto Jehovah, Thou art my God: Give ear unto the voice of my supplications, O Jehovah." — Psalms 140:6 (ASV)

I said to Jehovah. In these words he shows that his prayers were not merely those of the lips, as hypocrites will make loud appeals to God for mere appearance, but that he prayed with earnestness, and from a hidden principle of faith. Until we have a persuasion of being saved through the grace of God there can be no sincere prayer.

We have here an excellent illustration of the nature of faith, in the Psalmist’s turning himself away from public view, so that he may address God apart, hypocrisy being excluded in this internal exercise of the heart. This is true prayer—not the mere idle lifting up of the voice, but the presentation of our petitions from an inward principle of faith.

To foster in himself a persuasion of obtaining his present requests from God, he recalls to his mind what deliverances God had already extended to him. He speaks of God having been to him as a shield in every time of danger.

Some read the words in the future tense—Thou wilt cover my head in the day of battle. But it is evident David speaks of protection previously experienced from the hand of God, and from this derives comfort to his faith.

He comes forth, not as a raw and undisciplined recruit, but as a soldier well-tested in previous engagements. The strength of salvation is equivalent to salvation displayed with no ordinary power.