Psaume 33

1 Justes, réjouissez-vous en l'Eternel! La louange sied aux hommes droits.

2 Célébrez l'Eternel avec la harpe, Célébrez-le sur le luth à dix cordes.

3 Chantez-lui un cantique nouveau! Faites retentir vos instruments et vos voix!

4 Car la parole de l'Eternel est droite, Et toutes ses oeuvres s'accomplissent avec fidélité;

5 Il aime la justice et la droiture; La bonté de l'Eternel remplit la terre.

6 Les cieux ont été faits par la parole de l'Eternel, Et toute leur armée par le souffle de sa bouche.

7 Il amoncelle en un tas les eaux de la mer, Il met dans des réservoirs les abîmes.

8 Que toute la terre craigne l'Eternel! Que tous les habitants du monde tremblent devant lui!

9 Car il dit, et la chose arrive; Il ordonne, et elle existe.

10 L'Eternel renverse les desseins des nations, Il anéantit les projets des peuples;

11 Les desseins de l'Eternel subsistent à toujours, Et les projets de son coeur, de génération en génération.

12 Heureuse la nation dont l'Eternel est le Dieu! Heureux le peuple qu'il choisit pour son héritage!

13 L'Eternel regarde du haut des cieux, Il voit tous les fils de l'homme;

14 Du lieu de sa demeure il observe Tous les habitants de la terre,

15 Lui qui forme leur coeur à tous, Qui est attentif à toutes leurs actions.

16 Ce n'est pas une grande armée qui sauve le roi, Ce n'est pas une grande force qui délivre le héros;

17 Le cheval est impuissant pour assurer le salut, Et toute sa vigueur ne donne pas la délivrance.

18 Voici, l'oeil de l'Eternel est sur ceux qui le craignent, Sur ceux qui espèrent en sa bonté,

19 Afin d'arracher leur âme à la mort Et de les faire vivre au milieu de la famine.

20 Notre âme espère en l'Eternel; Il est notre secours et notre bouclier.

21 Car notre coeur met en lui sa joie, Car nous avons confiance en son saint nom.

22 Eternel! que ta grâce soit sur nous, Comme nous espérons en toi!

Psaume 33 Commentary

Chapter 33

God to be praised. (1-11) His people encouraged by his power. (12-22)

Verses 1-11 Holy joy is the heart and soul of praise, and that is here pressed upon the righteous. Thankful praise is the breath and language of holy joy. Religious songs are proper expressions of thankful praise. Every endowment we possess, should be employed with all our skill and earnestness in God's service. His promises are all wise and good. His word is right, and therefore we are only in the right when we agree with it. His works are all done in truth. He is the righteous Lord, therefore loveth righteousness. What a pity it is that this earth, which is so full of the proofs and instances of God's goodness, should be so empty of his praises; and that of the multitudes who live upon his bounty, there are so few who live to his glory! What the Lord does, he does to purpose; it stands fast. He overrules all the counsels of men, and makes them serve his counsels; even that is fulfilled, which to us is most surprising, the eternal counsel of God, nor can any thing prevent its coming to pass.

Verses 12-22 All the motions and operations of the souls of men, which no mortals know but themselves, God knows better than they do. Their hearts, as well as their times, are all in his hand; he formed the spirit of each man within him. All the powers of the creature depend upon him, and are of no account, of no avail at all, without him. If we make God's favour sure towards us, then we need not fear whatever is against us. We are to give to him the glory of his special grace. All human devices for the salvation of our souls are vain; but the Lord's watchful eye is over those whose conscientious fear of his name proceeds from a believing hope in his mercy. In difficulties they shall be helped; in dangers they shall not receive any real damage. Those that fear God and his wrath, must hope in God and his mercy; for there is no flying from him, but by flying to him. Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us; let us always have the comfort and benefit, not according to our merits, but according to the promise which thou hast in thy word given to us, and according to the faith thou hast by thy Spirit and grace wrought in us.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 33

Though this psalm has no title to it, it seems to be a psalm of David, from the style and matter of it; and indeed begins with the same words with which the preceding psalm is ended. Theodoret is of opinion it was written by David as a prophecy concerning Hezekiah, as a song to be sung by the people after the destruction of the Assyrian army.