John Calvin Commentary Psalms 60:4

"Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, That it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah" — Psalms 60:4 (ASV)

Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee. Some interpreters would change the past tense and read the words as if they formed a continuation of the preceding prayers—O that thou wouldst give a banner to them that fear thee! But it is better to suppose that David diverges to the language of congratulation and, by pointing to the change that had taken place, calls attention to the evident appearances of divine favor.

He returns thanks to God, in the name of all the people, for having raised a standard that might at once cheer their hearts and unite their divided numbers. It is a poor and meager interpretation that some have attached to the words before the truth—that God showed favor to the Jews because he had found them true-hearted and sound in his cause.

Those in the higher ranks, as is well known, had proved eminently disloyal; the common people, along with their king, had broken their divine allegiance. From the highest to the lowest in the kingdom, all had conspired to overthrow the gracious purpose of God. It is evident, then, that David refers to the truth of God as having emerged in a remarkable manner, now that the Church began to be restored.

This was an event that had not been expected. Indeed, who did not imagine, in the desperate circumstances, that God’s promises had altogether failed? But when David mounted the throne, his truth, which had been so long obscured, again shone forth. The advantage that ensued extended to the whole nation, but David intimates that God had a special respect for his own people, whose deliverance, however few they might be in number, he particularly contemplated.

He next proceeds to address God again in prayer. Although I may observe in passing, some read the words that follow, that thy beloved may be delivered, in connection with the preceding verse. I am myself inclined to adopt that construction, for David would seem to magnify the illustration that had been given of divine favor by referring to the change that had taken place: God had inspirited his people enough to display a banner, whereas formerly they were reduced to a state of extremity from which it seemed impossible to escape without a miracle.

In the previous verse he calls them fearers of the Lord, and now his beloved, implying that when God rewards those who fear and worship him, it is always with respect to his own free love. And prayer is added, for however great the favors that God has bestowed upon us, modesty and humility will teach us always to pray that he would perfect what his goodness has begun.