John Calvin Commentary Psalms 69:7

"Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; Shame hath covered my face." — Psalms 69:7 (ASV)

For on thy account I have suffered reproach He now expresses more distinctly what he had stated ironically in the fifth verse, where he asserts that his faults were not hidden from God. Indeed, he proceeds further, declaring not only that the evil treatment which he received from his enemies was unjust and altogether unmerited, but also that his cause was really God’s cause, since whatever he had undertaken and engaged in was expressly in obedience to the command of God.

Saul no doubt had other reasons, or at least other pretexts, for persecuting David; but as the hatred which he harbored against him undoubtedly proceeded from God’s having called and anointed him to be king, David here justly protests that it was not for any wickedness he had committed, but because he had obeyed God, that men in general disapproved of and rashly condemned him.

It is a source of great consolation to true believers when they can protest that they have the warrant and call of God for whatever they undertake or engage in. If we are hated by the world for making a public confession of the faith—something we should expect, as it is evident from observation that the wicked ordinarily are never fiercer than when they assault the truth of God and true religion—we have ground to have double confidence.

We also learn from this passage how monstrous is the malice of men, who convert into a cause for reproach and censure the zeal for the Divine glory by which true believers are animated. But it is well for us that God not only wipes away the reproaches with which the wicked load us, but also so ennobles them, that they surpass all the honors and triumphs of the world.

The Psalmist further aggravates his complaint by the additional circumstance that he was cruelly cast off by his own relations and friends. From this we are taught that when by our devotedness to the cause of religion we cannot avoid exciting the displeasure of our brethren against us, it is our duty simply to follow God and not to confer with flesh and blood.