John Calvin Commentary Psalms 31:17

"Let me not be put to shame, O Jehovah; for I have called upon thee: Let the wicked be put to shame, let them be silent in Sheol." — Psalms 31:17 (ASV)

O Jehovah! let me not be ashamed. In these words, the Psalmist continues his prayer. To strengthen his hopes, he contrasts himself with his enemies, for it would have been more than absurd to permit those who by their wickedness so openly provoked God's wrath to escape with impunity, while an innocent person who relied upon God was disappointed and made a laughingstock.

Here, then, we perceive what the Psalmist’s comparison implies. Moreover, instead of speaking of his hope or trust, he now speaks of his calling upon God, saying, I have called on you; and he does this with good reason, for whoever relies on God's providence must flee to Him with prayers and strong cries.

To be silent in the grave, implies that death, when it befalls the ungodly, restrains and prevents them from doing further injury. This silence is opposed both to their deceitful and treacherous devices and to their outrageous insolence. Therefore, in the very next verse, he adds, Let lying lips be put to silence. In my opinion, this includes both their craftiness and the false pretenses and slanders by which they attempt to accomplish their designs, and also the vain boasting in which they indulge.

For he tells us that they speak with harshness and severity against the righteous, in pride and scorn; because it was their stubborn arrogance, which almost always leads to contempt, that made David’s enemies so bold in lying. Whoever proudly claims for himself more than is his due will almost inevitably treat others with contempt.