Not so overwhelmed in deep sorrows nor groaned so much under the weighty load of his temptations …

… while [David] pines away with grief, and is deprived of all strength, he is nevertheless supported by so strong a hope that he ceases not to call upon God. David, therefore, was not so overwhelmed in deep sorrow, and other direful sufferings, as that the hidden light of faith could not shine inwardly in his heart; nor did he groan so much under the weighty load of his temptations, as to be prevented from arousing himself to call upon God.

He struggled through many obstacles to be able to make the confession which he here makes. He next defines the manner of his faith, namely, that he reflected with himself thus that God would never fail him nor forsake him. Let us mark his manner of speech: “I have said, Thou art my God”. In these words he intimates that he was so entirely persuaded of this truth, that God was his God, that he would not admit even a suggestion to the contrary. And until this persuasion prevails so as to take possession of our minds, we shall always waver in uncertainty.

Source: Calvin’s Commentaries (Psalm 31:14)

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Psalm 107, Calvin and Providence and Tragedy

Psalm 107:6

It is unnecessary to allude here to the sarcastic retort of the ancient buffoon, who, on entering a temple, and beholding a number of tablets which several merchants had suspended there as memorials of their having escaped shipwreck, through the kind interposition of the gods, smartly and facetiously remarked, But the deaths of those who have been drowned are not enumerated, the number of which is innumerable. But even if a hundredfold more were drowned in the sea than safely reach the harbour, this does not in the least degree detract from the glory of the goodness of God, who, while he is merciful, is at the same time also just, so that the dispensing of the one does not interfere with the exercise of the other. The same observation applies to travelers that stray from the path, and wander up and down in the desert. If many of them perish for hunger and thirst, if many are devoured by wild animals, if many die from cold, these are nothing else than so many tokens of the judgments of God, which he designs for our consideration. From which we infer that the same thing would happen to all men, were it not the will of God to save a portion of them; and thus interposing as a judge between them, he preserves some for the sake of showing his mercy, and pours out his judgments upon others to declare his justice.

Psalm 107:10-11

The Spirit of God makes mention here of another species of danger in which God manifestly discovers his power and grace in the protecting and delivering of men. The world, as I said, calls these vicissitudes the sport of fortune; and hardly one among a hundred can be found who ascribes them to the superintending providence of God. It is a very different kind of practical wisdom which God expects at our hands; namely, that we ought to meditate on his judgments in the time of adversity, and on his goodness in delivering us from it. For surely it is not by mere chance that a person falls into the hands of enemies or robbers; neither is it by chance that he is rescued from them. But this is what we must constantly keep in view, that all afflictions are God’s rod, and that therefore there is no remedy for them elsewhere than in his grace. Moreover, until men are persuaded that all their troubles come upon them by the appointment of God, it will never come into their minds to supplicate him for deliverance.

source: Calvin’s Commentaries

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The key Old Testament verses behind the Psalms

Exodus 34:6-7

The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious,

slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth;

who keeps lovingkindness for thousands,

who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin;

yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished,

visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children

and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”

Numbers 6:24-27

The LORD bless you, and keep you;

The LORD make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you;

The LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace

So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I then will bless them.

Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them,

for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you.

He will not fail you or forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 32:4-6

The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just;

A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He. …

Is not He your Father who has bought you?

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