John Calvin Commentary Psalms 26:3

"For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes; And I have walked in thy truth." — Psalms 26:3 (ASV)

For thy goodness is before mine eyes. This verse may be viewed as one sentence, or divided into two parts, but with almost the same sense. If the first reading is adopted, both verbs will be emphatic, in this way: “Because Your goodness, O Lord, has always been before my eyes, and I have trusted in Your faithfulness, I have restrained all wicked lusts in my heart, so that I would not be forced to retaliate when provoked by the malice of my enemies.” This interpretation would then explain the cause.

The other exposition is also not unsuitable, namely: “Because Your goodness has been before my eyes, I have walked in the truth which You command.” In this case, the conjunction, as is common among the Hebrews, is superfluous. But although this exposition is related to the former, I would rather prefer one less remote from the words.

It is a rare and difficult virtue not only to refrain oneself from wicked actions when greatly tempted to them, but also to preserve integrity of heart. The prophet declares how he pursued his course in the midst of such powerful temptations. He tells us that he did this by setting the goodness of God before his eyes—the goodness that so carefully preserves His servants—so that, by turning to evil practices, he would not deprive himself of God’s protection. And, by confiding in God’s faithfulness, he maintained his soul in patience, firmly persuaded that God would never forsake His faithful people who trusted in Him.

And certainly, if he had not relied upon the goodness of God, he could not have so constantly pursued the path of integrity amidst such numerous and severe assaults. It is indeed a remarkable difference between the children of God and worldly men: the former, in the hope of a favorable outcome from the Lord, rely upon His word and are not driven by restlessness to mischievous practices; while the latter, although they may maintain a good cause, yet because they are ignorant of the providence of God, are hurried to and fro, follow unlawful counsels, resort to craftiness, and, in short, have no other object than to overcome evil with evil.

From where, then, do their miserable, sorrowful, and often tragic ends arise, if not from their despising the favor of God and giving themselves up to cunning and deceit? In short, David was steady in preserving his uprightness because he had resolved that God should be his guide. In the first place, therefore, he mentions His goodness, and afterwards he adds His truth, because His goodness, which enables us to walk with unyielding courage in the midst of all temptations, is only known to us by His promises.