John Calvin Commentary Psalms 27:10

"When my father and my mother forsake me, Then Jehovah will take me up." — Psalms 27:10 (ASV)

When my father and my mother shall forsake me. As it appears from sacred history that Jesse, to the extent his opportunity allowed, performed his duty to his son David, some are of the opinion that the nobles and counselors are mentioned here allegorically. But this interpretation is not suitable.

Nor do they have any valid reason for this objection. David does not complain that he was unnaturally betrayed by his father or mother; but by this comparison, he magnifies the grace of God, declaring that he would always find God ready to help him, even if he were forsaken by all people.

The Hebrew particle כי, ki, for the most part, signifies for, but it is also known to be often used as the adverb of time, when. David, therefore, meant to suggest that whatever benevolence, love, zeal, attention, or service might be found among humans, it is far inferior to the paternal mercy with which God surrounds His people.

The highest degree of love among humans, it is true, is found in parents who love their children with the deepest affection. But God elevates us higher, declaring by the prophet Isaiah, though a mother may forget the child of her womb, He will always be mindful of us (Isaiah 49:15).

David places Him on this level, so that He who is the source of all goodness far surpasses all mortals, who are naturally malevolent and stingy. This is, however, an incomplete way of speaking, similar to that in Isaiah 63:16:

Doubtless, thou art our Father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not.

The meaning of all this is: However inclined by nature earthly parents are to help their children, indeed, even if they endeavor to cherish them with the greatest ardor of affection, yet if affection were to be completely extinguished on earth, God would fulfill the duties of both father and mother to His people. From this it follows that we shamefully undervalue the grace of God if our faith does not rise above all natural affections; for the laws of nature would sooner be overturned a hundred times than God would fail His people.