Psalms 33

Psalm 33

1 All you who are righteous, shout joyfully to the LORD! It's right for those who do right to praise God.

2 Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre! Sing praises to him with the ten-stringed harp!

3 Sing to him a new song! Play your best with joyful shouts!

4 Because the LORD's word is right, his every act is done in good faith.

5 He loves righteousness and justice; the LORD's faithful love fills the whole earth.

6 The skies were made by the LORD's word, all their starry multitude by the breath of his mouth.

7 He gathered the ocean waters into a heap; he put the deep seas into storerooms.

8 All the earth honors the LORD; all the earth's inhabitants stand in awe of him.

9 Because when he spoke, it happened! When he commanded, there it was!

10 The LORD overrules what the nations plan; he frustrates what the peoples intend to do.

11 But the LORD's plan stands forever; what he intends to do lasts from one generation to the next.

12 The nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom God has chosen as his possession, is truly happy!

13 The LORD looks down from heaven; he sees every human being.

14 From his dwelling place God observes all who live on earth.

15 God is the one who made all their hearts, the one who knows everything they do.

16 Kings aren't saved by the strength of their armies; warriors aren't rescued by how much power they have.

17 A warhorse is a bad bet for victory; it can't save despite its great strength.

18 But look here: the LORD's eyes watch all who honor him, all who wait for his faithful love,

19 to deliver their lives from death and keep them alive during a famine.

20 We put our hope in the LORD. He is our help and our shield.

21 Our heart rejoices in God because we trust his holy name.

22 LORD, let your faithful love surround us because we wait for you.

Psalms 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or souls; also in 33:20

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.