John Calvin Commentary Psalms 56:7

"Shall they escape by iniquity? In anger cast down the peoples, O God." — Psalms 56:7 (ASV)

After their mischief they think to escape. Some read the beginning of this verse as a question: Shall they escape in their iniquity? However, there is no need to resort to this remote interpretation. It is much better to understand the words in the sense they naturally suggest when first read: that the wicked think to escape in their iniquity, but God will cast them down.

He alludes to the fact that the ungodly, when allowed to proceed without interruption in their evil ways, indulge the idea that they have a license to perpetrate the worst wickedness with impunity. In our own times, we see many such profane characters who display unmeasured audacity, confident that God’s hand can never reach them. They not only expect to go unpunished but also base their hopes of success on their evil deeds, encouraging themselves to further wickedness by cherishing the belief that they will contrive a way to escape every adversity.

No sooner has David stated this vain confident persuasion of the wicked than he refutes it by appealing to God’s judgment, declaring his conviction that, however proudly they might exalt themselves, the hour of vengeance will come when God will cast down the peoples. He uses the plural number to fortify himself against fear when he reflected on the array of his enemies. Let us remember, when our enemies are many, that it is one of God’s prerogatives to cast down the people—not merely one nation of foes, but the world.