Vs. 155 — Salvation is far from the wicked, For they do not seek Your statutes.

John Calvin:

Fully persuaded that the world is governed by the secret providence of God, who is a just judge, the Prophet draws from that source the doctrine, That the wicked are far removed from safety, and safety from them. Hence proceeds the confidence of prayer; for as God is turned away from the despisers of his word, so he is ready to succour his servants. (Calvin, J., & Anderson, J. (2010). Commentary on the Book of Psalms (Vol. 5, p. 31). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)

Charles H. Spurgeon:

“For they seek not thy statutes.” They do not endeavour to be obedient, but quite the reverse; they seek themselves, they seek evil, and therefore they never find the way of peace and righteousness. When men have broken the statutes of the Lord their wisest course is by repentance to seek forgiveness, and by faith to seek salvation: then salvation is near them, so near them that they shall not miss it; but when the wicked continue to seek after mischief, salvation is set further and further from them. Salvation and God’s statutes go together: those who are saved by the King of grace love the statutes of the King of glory. (Spurgeon, C. H. (2009). The treasury of David: Psalms 111-119 (Vol. 5, p. 414). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)

Prayer:

Salvation was far from me, and it would be even this day if You had not turned my heart to the Beloved Christ. I once walked in the futility of my mind and polished the hardness of my rebellious heart as thief enjoys the glitter of his ill-gotten spoils. Being blind to the state of my soul and the path of destruction that in which I walked there was no hope in myself and in this fleeting world. But You, being rich in mercy with the great love that You have for me, rescued me, making me alive with Christ and raised me up in Him–who is the eternal Lamb of God, forever and ever. Have mercy, O’ God of love, on the wicked, for they are as I was. I too was far from Salvation, but You swept me up into Thy bosom, by grace I am saved. I too despised Your statutes, but then the Spirit of Light removed the scales from my eyes. Bring light, O’ God; bring light unto the nations and show to us the need and glory of the crucified, resurrected, and ascended One. To His name be the glory. Amen.