John Calvin Commentary Psalms 71:12

"O God, be not far from me; O my God, make haste to help me." — Psalms 71:12 (ASV)

O God! be not far from me. It is scarcely possible to express how severe and hard a temptation it was for David when he knew that the wicked held the conviction that he was rejected by God. They did not circulate this report without careful consideration; but after appearing to weigh all circumstances wisely, they delivered their judgment on the matter as something settled beyond all dispute.

It was therefore evidence of David's heroic fortitude that he could thus rise above their perverse judgments and, in the face of them all, assure himself that God would be gracious to him, and draw near to Him with confidence. Nor can it be doubted that, in calling God his God, he uses this as a way to defend himself from this hard and grievous assault.

While invoking God's aid, he also prays (Psalms 71:13) that his enemies may be filled with shame until they are consumed. These words, however, could also properly be read in the future tense, for it is frequently David's practice, after ending his prayer, to rise up against his enemies and, as it were, triumph over them. But I have followed what seems more agreeable to the scope of the passage. Since I have had occasion elsewhere to explain this imprecation, it is unnecessary for me to repeat here what I have previously said.