John Calvin Commentary Psalms 69:12

"They that sit in the gate talk of me; And [I am] the song of the drunkards." — Psalms 69:12 (ASV)

They who sit in the gate defame me. If David had been harassed only by vulgar buffoons and the dregs of the people, it would have been more easily endured; for it is not surprising that base persons, who have no regard for what is proper and honorable, debase themselves by shamelessly indulging in defamation.

But when the very judges, forgetful of what is demanded by the dignity of their office, abandon themselves to the same audacious conduct, the wickedness and depravity of it is greatly worsened. Accordingly, David expressly complains that he was made a byword and a proverb by those in the highest ranks of life.

The opinion of some who, by the expression they who sit in the gate, understand it to mean the whole people, is both weak and inconsistent with the words of the text; for although men of every rank and condition assembled at the gates, yet only the judges and counselors sat there.

This is confirmed by the second clause of the verse; for by those who drink strong drink, is undoubtedly meant the rulers who were distinguished by their wealth and status. It was, indeed, very cruel treatment that this holy man was not only harassed by the lower classes of the people, but that the very persons who presided over matters of justice, and the church dignitaries, were ringleaders for others in this.

As the same thing happens even today, it is for good reason that the Holy Spirit has placed this example before us. In the Papacy, we find that the higher a man is raised in honor, he is correspondingly more violent and outrageous in his opposition to the Gospel and its ministers, so that he may present himself as a more valiant defender of the Catholic faith.

Indeed, this is an affliction with which almost all kings and princes are stricken. It arises from their not regarding true dignity and excellence as consisting in virtue, and from their thinking that they are entitled to act without restraint as they please. And what is their estimation of the faithful servants of Christ?

It is an undeniable fact that one of their chief concerns is to scoff at and defame them, not only at their tables but also on their thrones, in order, if possible, to shame them into renouncing their faith. In general, they also sneer at all the people of God and enjoy themselves by elaborating on their simplicity, as if they were fools for wearying and exhausting themselves in the service of God.