John Calvin Commentary Psalms 61:5

"For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: Thou hast given [me] the heritage of those that fear thy name." — Psalms 61:5 (ASV)

For thou, O God! hast heard my vows. He here shows the grounds on which he had spoken of his abiding under the wings of God. The sudden joy he experienced arose from God having heard his prayers and made light spring out of darkness.

By his vows we must understand his prayers, according to a common figure of speech by which the part is taken for the whole, as he made vows when he prayed. In general, he would acknowledge himself indebted for his restoration entirely to an interposition of Divine power, and not to any skill he had shown in gaining time to gather his forces, nor to any assistance he had derived, either from the favor of the priests or the exertions of his soldiers.

Had the letter ל, lamed, been prefixed to the Hebrew word יראי, yirey, which is rendered fearing, there would have been no reason left to doubt that the following words were a general assertion, to the effect that God has given the inheritance to those who fear him.

As it is, they may be interpreted to mean that God had given David the inheritance of those who fear him. Still, I prefer attaching the more general sense to the words and understand them as suggesting that God never disappoints his servants, but crowns with everlasting happiness the struggles and distresses that may have tested their faith.

They convey an implied criticism of the unwarranted confidence indulged in by the wicked when favored, through divine forbearance, with any interval of prosperity. The success that flatters them is merely imaginary and quickly vanishes.

But inheritance—the word David uses here—suggests that the people of God enjoy a kind of prosperity more solid and enduring; their momentary and short-lived troubles only have the effect of promoting their eternal welfare.

He praises God that those who fear His name are not left with the meager privilege of rejoicing for only a few days, but are secured in a permanent heritage of happiness. This truth cannot be questioned.

The wicked, having no possession by faith of the divine benefits they may happen to share, live from day to day, as it were, on plunder. It is only those who fear the Lord who have the true and legitimate enjoyment of their blessings.