John Calvin Commentary Psalms 6:8-10

"Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; For Jehovah hath heard the voice of my weeping. Jehovah hath heard my supplication; Jehovah will receive my prayer. All mine enemies shall be put to shame and sore troubled: They shall turn back, they shall be put to shame suddenly." — Psalms 6:8-10 (ASV)

After David has unburdened himself of his griefs and troubles to God, he now, as it were, assumes a new character. And, without doubt, he had been afflicted with prolonged despondency of spirit before he could recover and attain the degree of assurance he displays here; for we have already seen that he had spent many nights in continual weeping.

Now, the more distressed and wearied he had been by the long delay of his deliverance, with so much the more alacrity he stirs himself up to sing of victory. Directing his discourse against his adversaries, he represents it as not the least part of his temptations that ungodly men triumphed over him and derided him as lost and in a hopeless condition; for we know with what insolence their pride and cruelty exalt themselves against the children of God when they see them oppressed under the cross.

And Satan moves them to this, in order to drive the faithful to despair when they see their hope mocked. This passage teaches us that the grace of God is the only light of life for the godly; and that, as soon as He has shown some sign of His anger, they are not only greatly afraid but also, as it were, plunged into the darkness of death. On the other hand, as soon as they perceive anew that God is merciful to them, they are immediately restored to life.

David, it is to be noted, repeats three times that his prayers were heard, by which he testifies that he ascribes his deliverance to God, and confirms himself in the confidence that he had not turned to God in vain. And if we are to receive any fruit from our prayers, we must believe that God’s ears have not been closed to them.

By the word weeping, he not only indicates vehemence and earnestness but also intimates that he had been wholly occupied in mourning and sorrowful lamentations. The confidence and security that David derives from God's favor should also be noted. From this, we are taught that there is nothing in the whole world, whatever it may be and whatever opposition it may present to us, which we can despise if we are fully persuaded that we are beloved by God; and by this we also understand what His fatherly love can do for us.

By the adverb suddenly, he signifies that when there is apparently no means of delivering the faithful from affliction, and when all seems desperate or hopeless, they are then delivered by the power of God, contrary to all expectation. When God suddenly changes people's afflicted condition into one of joy and happiness, He thereby manifests His power more illustriously and makes it appear all the more wonderful.