Commentary on Psalms Volume 1 John Calvin
JOHN CALVIN
might take place in religion. But to me these reasons do not appear to be sufficiently solid. David's mind was not always occupied by the fear he now felt; and when he came to die, being full of days and weary of this life, he calmly yielded up his soul into the bosom of God. The second reason is equally applicable to us at the present day, as it was to the ancient fathers, inasmuch as God's fatherly love shines forth towards us also even in this life, and with much more illustrious proofs than under the former dispensation. But, as I have just observed, I consider this complaint of David as including something different, namely, that feeling the hand of God to be against him, and knowing his hatred of sin, 87 he is overwhelmed with fear and involved in the deepest distress. The same may also be said of Hezekiah, inasmuch as he did not simply pray for deliverance from death, but from the wrath of God, which he felt to be very awful, (Isaiah 38:3.)
Psalm 6:6-7
6. I have become wearied in my groaning; I make my bed to swim 88 every night; I water my couch with my tears. 7. Mine eye hath waxed dim for vexation; it hath waxed old among my persecutors.
These forms of expression are hyperbolical, but it must not be imagined that David, after the manner of poets, exaggerates his sorrow; 89 but he declares truly and simply how severe and bitter it had been. It should always be kept in mind, that his affliction did not proceed so much from his having been severely wounded with bodily distress; but regarding God as greatly displeased with him, he saw, as it were, hell open to receive him; and the mental distress which this produces exceeds all other sorrows. Indeed, the more sincerely a man is devoted to God, he is just so much the more severely disquieted by the sense of his wrath; and hence it is that holy persons, who were otherwise endued with uncommon fortitude, have showed in this respect the greatest softness and want of resolution. And nothing prevents us at this day from experiencing in ourselves what David "Ascavoir que sentant la main de Dieu contraire, veu qu'il l'advertissoit de sa vengence contre le peche." — Fr.
"Je baigne ma couche. — Fr. "I soak my couch." "Ou, je fay nager." — Fr. marg. "or, I make to swim."
"II ne taut pas penser toutesfois que David amplifie sa tristesse a la facon des Poetes." — Fr.