John Calvin Commentary Psalms 25:21

"Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, For I wait for thee." — Psalms 25:21 (ASV)

Let integrity and uprightness preserve me. Some are of the opinion that in these words David simply prays that he might be preserved from all harm, because he had conducted himself inoffensively toward others and had abstained from all deceit and violence. Others make the words contain a twofold subject of prayer, understanding them as including at the same time a desire that God would grant him a sincere and upright purpose of heart; and all this so that he would not break forth into revenge and other unlawful means of preserving his life.

Thus the meaning would be: Lord, although my flesh might urge me to seek relief from wherever it might appear, and my enemies also might constrain me to it by their urgent demands, yet subdue within me every sinful passion and every perverse desire, so that I may always exercise pure and complete control over my mind; and let integrity and uprightness suffice as two powerful means of preserving me.

We prefer the first interpretation, because he immediately adds a proof of his integrity. Whoever waits upon God with a meek and quiet spirit will rather suffer anything that men can inflict than allow himself to contend unrighteously with his enemies. In my opinion, therefore, David protests that such was the rectitude of his behavior among men that the persecution of his enemies was wholly unmerited and unjust; and being conscious of having given no offense to anyone, he calls upon God as the protector of his innocence.

But as he has already, in three different places, acknowledged that he was justly afflicted, it may seem strange that he should now glory in his integrity. This apparent inconsistency has already been explained in another place, where we have shown that the saints, with respect to themselves, always come into the presence of God with humility, imploring His forgiveness; and yet this does not prevent them from presenting to Him the goodness of their cause and the justice of their claims.

At the same time, in saying that he trusted in God, he only states what is indeed essentially necessary. For, in undertaking our defense, it is not enough that we have justice on our side unless we also depend on His promises and rely with confidence on His protection. It often happens that men of firmness and prudence, even when their cause is good, do not always succeed in its defense because they confide in their own understanding or rely on fortune. Therefore, so that God may become the protector and defender of our innocence, let us first conduct ourselves uprightly and innocently toward our enemies, and then commit ourselves entirely to His protection.