Psalm 18

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 18:25

Verse 25 25.With the merciful, etc. David here prosecutes the same subject. In considering the grace of God by which he had been delivered, he brings it forward as a proof of his integrity, and thus triumphs over the unfounded and disgraceful calumnies of his enemies. Hypocrites, I confess, are also accustomed to act in the same way; for prosperity and the success of their affairs so elates them that they are not ashamed proudly to vaunt themselves not only against men, but even against God. As... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 18:26

Verse 26 The last clause of the 26th verse, where it is said, With the perverse thou wilt show thyself perverse, seems to convey a meaning somewhat strange, but it does not imply any thing absurd; yea, rather, it is not without good reason that the Holy Spirit uses this manner of speaking; for he designs thereby to awaken hypocrites and the gross despisers of God, who lull themselves asleep in their vices without any apprehension of danger. (420) We see how such persons, when the Scripture... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 18:27

Verse 27 27.For thou wilt save the afflicted people. This verse contains the correction of a mistake into which we are very ready to fall. As experience shows that the merciful are often severely afflicted, and the sincere involved in troubles of a very distressing description, to prevent any from regarding the statement as false that God deals mercifully with the merciful, David admonishes us that we must wait for the end; for although God does not immediately run to succor the good, yet,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 18:28

Verse 28 28.For thou shalt light my lamp. In the song in Samuel, the form of the expression is somewhat more precise; for there it is said not that God lights our lamp, but that he himself is our lamp. The meaning, however, comes to the same thing, namely, that it was by the grace of God that David, who had been plunged in darkness, returned to the light. David does not simply give thanks to God for having lighted up a lamp before him, but also for having converted his darkness into light. He,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 18:30

Verse 30 30.The way of God is perfect. The phrase, The way of God, is not here taken for his revealed will, but for his method of dealing towards his people. The meaning, therefore, is, that God never disappoints or deceives his servants, nor forsakes them in the time of need, (as may be the case with men who do not aid their dependants, except in so far as it contributes to their own particular advantage,) but faithfully defends and maintains those whom he has once taken under his protection.... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 18:31

Verse 31 31.For who is God besides Jehovah? David here, deriding the foolish inventions of men, who, according to their own fancy, make for themselves tutelary gods, (426) confirms what I have said before, that he never undertook any thing but by the authority and command of God. If he had passed beyond the limits of his calling, he could not with such confidence have said that God was on his side. Besides, although in these words he opposes to the true God all the false gods invented by men,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 18:32

Verse 32 32.It is God who hath girded. This is a metaphor taken either from the belt or girdle of a warrior, or from the reins, in which the Scripture sometimes places a man’s vigor or strength. It is, therefore, as if he had said, I, who would otherwise have been feeble and effeminate, have been made strong and courageous by the power of God. He afterwards speaks of the success itself with which God had favored him; for it would not be enough for persons to have prompt and active courage, nor... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 18:33

Verse 33 David, having taken many strongholds which, on account of their steep and difficult access, were believed to be impregnable, extols the grace of God in this particular. When he says that God had given him feet like hinds’ feet, he means that he had given him unusual swiftness, and such as does not naturally belong to men. The sense, therefore, is, that he had been aided by God in an extraordinary manner, so that like a roe he climbed with amazing speed over inaccessible rocks. He calls... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 18:36

Verse 36 By the enlargement of his steps, he intimates that God had opened up to him an even and an accommodating pathway through places to which there was before no means of access; for there is in the words an implied contrast between a large and spacious place and a narrow spot, out of which a person cannot move his foot. The meaning is, that when David was reduced to the greatest distress, and saw no way of escape, God had graciously brought him out of his straits and difficulties. This is... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 18:37

Verse 37 The point on which David insists so much is, that of showing from the effect or issue, that all his victories were to be traced to the favor of God; and from this it follows that his cause was good and just. God, no doubt, sometimes grants successes even to the ungodly and wicked; but he at length shows by the issue, that he was all the while opposed to them and their enemy. It is his servants alone who experience such tokens of his favor as he shewed towards David, and he intends by... read more

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 18:25

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 18:26

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 18:27

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 18:28

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 18:30

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 18:31

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 18:32

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 18:33

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 18:36

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 18:37

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