Professor J.H. Mazaheri - Calvin's Interpretation of 'The Lord's Prayer'. A Rhetorical Approach

The next point he makes is that whatever God does, whatever his work, we must consider it right and keep praising Him,

Tellement que s’il punit, il soit recongneu iuste, s’il pardonne, miséricordieux; s’il tient ce qu’il a promis, véritable. Brief, qu’il n’y ayt chose en laquelle sa gloire ne reluyse; et qu’ainsi ses louënges soient engravées en tous cœurs, et raisonnent en toutes langues.6

If one recognizes God’s holiness, in other words if one has faith in Him, one ought to praise him in everything He does, for He is always right and good. Furthermore, the prayer is said in behalf of everyone in the world. Calvin insists indeed on the universality of the Lord’s Prayer, underscored by the phrases “ tous cœurs” ( every heart) and “ toutes langues” ( every language). Nationalism has no place in the religion of Christ, according to Calvin.

The last point the theologian makes is that by saying “Hallowed be Thy Name”, we are praying for the destruction of impiety and immorality:

Finalement que toute impiété, laquelle pollue et déshonore ce sainct Nom, c’est à dire qui obscurcit ou diminue ceste sanctification, périsse et soit confondue; en laquelle confusion aussi de plus en plus la maiesté de Dieu soit esclarcie.7

I point out the fact that Calvin does not blame anyone in particular, but criticizes impiety in general. Every time one overcomes the latter, or whenever God punishes the impious, his glory becomes more visible. That is what we pray for. To conclude, this First Petition is not only a request, but also an act of praising the heavenly Father:

Ainsi en ceste pétition est contenue l’action de grâces. Car d’autant que nous requérons le Nom de Dieu estre sanctifié, nous luy attribuons la louënge de tous biens, advouons tout estre de luy, et recongnoissons ses grâces et bénéfices envers nous, par lesquelles il mérite d’estre estimé Sainct.8

To conclude, Calvin’s exegesis of the First Petition in all the editions of the Institutes prior to 1560 (1559 for the Latin edition) contains the following: 1) “Hallowed be Thy Name” is not only a word of request but also of praise; 2) We ask God to have mercy upon us and make us see Him in order to be happy; 3) We praise Him for everything we have; 4) Calvin, inspired by Pslam 48, puts the emphasis on the beauty that surrounds us; 5) We pray that the whole earth see the majesty of God;9 5) Finally, from a positive point of view, he stresses God’s greatness rather than Man’s sinfulness. Let us turn now to the revision of his text in the last edition.

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