John Calvin Commentary Psalms 143:4

"Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; My heart within me is desolate." — Psalms 143:4 (ASV)

And my spirit, etc. Until now he has spoken of the external troubles; now he acknowledges the feebleness of his spirits, from which it is evident that his strength was not like that of the rock, imperturbable or without feeling. Instead, while overwhelmed with grief according to natural human feeling, he owed his support entirely to faith and the grace of the Spirit. We are taught by his example not to give up the conflict in despair, however much we may be weakened and even exhausted by afflictions, as God will enable us to surmount them, if we only rise to Him with our hearts amidst all our anxieties.

In the next verse, David mentions that he had diligently sought means by which to mitigate his grief. It is no wonder that many who spontaneously give themselves up to inaction sink under their trials, not using means to invigorate themselves by calling to remembrance the grace of God.

Sometimes, it is true, our trials are only more keenly felt when we recall the former kindness God may have shown us, the comparison tending to awaken our feelings and render them more acute. However, David proposed a different purpose for himself and gathered confidence from the past mercies of God.

The very best method to obtain relief in trouble, when we are about to faint under it, is to call to mind the former loving-kindness of the Lord. Nor does David mean only what he had experienced from childhood, as some have thought, adopting in my judgment too restricted a sense, for the word קדם, kedem, has a more extensive meaning.

I have no doubt, therefore, that he includes past history as well as his own personal experience, as it is easy to discover proofs there of God’s continued goodness to His people. We ourselves should learn by his example, in reflecting upon personal favors received from God, to remember also how often He has assisted those that served Him, and apply this truth for our own benefit.

Even if this does not immediately abate the bitterness of our grief, its advantage will appear later. In the passage before us, David complains that he did not get relief from his anxieties and cares from this consolatory source, but he pursued his meditations in expectation of finding the good result in due time.

The verb שוה, suach, I have elsewhere observed, may mean either to declare with the tongue or to revolve in the mind. Some accordingly read: “I have discoursed of Your works.” But as the verb הגה, hagah, means to meditate, I consider that the Psalmist repeats the same thing twice, and this as a sign of earnestness. Often, when we only briefly reflect on God’s works, we turn away from them almost immediately, nor is it surprising that, in this case, no solid comfort results. For our knowledge to be abiding, we must engage in constant attention.