John Calvin Commentary Psalms 32:6

"For this let every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: Surely when the great waters overflow they shall not reach unto him." — Psalms 32:6 (ASV)

Therefore shall every one that is meek pray unto thee. Here the Psalmist expressly states that whatever he has until now described concerning his own experience belongs to all the children of God. This is to be carefully observed, because, due to our inherent unbelief, most of us are slow and reluctant to appropriate the grace of God.

We may also learn from this that David obtained forgiveness, not by the mere act of confession, as some say, but by faith and prayer. Here he directs believers to the same means of obtaining it, instructing them to turn to prayer, which is the true sacrifice of faith.

Furthermore, we are taught that in David, God gave an example of his mercy, which not only extends to all of us but also shows us how reconciliation should be sought. The words every one, serve to confirm every godly person; but the Psalmist at the same time shows that no one can obtain the hope of salvation except by prostrating himself as a supplicant before God, because all, without exception, need his mercy.

The expression The time of finding, which immediately follows, some think refers to the ordinary and accustomed hours of prayer; but others, more accurately in my opinion, compare it with that passage in Isaiah (Isaiah 55:6), where it is said, Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.

Indeed, it is never out of season to seek God, for every moment we need his grace, and he is always willing to meet us. But since slothfulness or dullness hinders us from seeking him, David here particularly intimates the critical seasons when believers are stimulated by a sense of their own need to turn to God.

The Papists have misused this passage to support their doctrine that we should have advocates in heaven to pray for us; but the attempt to base an argument for such a doctrine on this passage is so grossly absurd that it is unworthy of refutation. However, we may see from this either how wickedly they have corrupted the whole Scripture or with what gross ignorance they blunder in the simplest matters.

In the flood of many waters. This expression agrees with that prophecy of Joel:

Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord, shall be delivered. (Joel 2:32)

The meaning is, that although the deep whirlpools of death may surround us on every side, we should not fear that they will swallow us up; but rather believe that we will be safe and unhurt, if we only turn to the mercy of God. We are thus emphatically taught that the godly will have certain salvation even in death, provided they turn to the sanctuary of God’s grace. Under the term flood are denoted all those dangers from which there appears no means of escape.

At last the Psalmist devotes himself to thanksgiving, and although he uses but few words to celebrate the divine favor, there is, nevertheless, much force in his brevity. In the first place, he denies that there is any other haven of safety except in God himself. Secondly, he assures himself that God will be his faithful keeper in the future; for I willingly retain the future tense of the verb, though some, without any reason, translate it into the past.

He is not, however, to be understood as meaning that he considered himself safe from future tribulations, but he sets God’s guardianship against them. Lastly, whatever adversity may befall him, he is persuaded that God will be his deliverer.

By the word compass, he means manifold and various kinds of deliverance, as if he had said that he would be obligated to God in innumerable ways, and that he would, on every side, have most abundant cause for praising him. Meanwhile, we may observe how he offers his service of gratitude to God, according to his usual method, putting songs of deliverance instead of help.