Psalms 33

1 ejoice in ADONAI, you righteous! Praise is well-suited to the upright.

2 Give thanks to ADONAI with the lyre, sing praises to him with a ten-stringed harp.

3 Sing to him a new song, make music at your best among shouts of joy.

4 For the word of ADONAI is true, and all his work is trustworthy.

5 He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the grace of ADONAI.

6 By the word of ADONAI the heavens were made, and their whole host by a breath from his mouth.

7 He collects the sea waters together in a heap; he puts the deeps in storehouses.

8 Let all the earth fear ADONAI! Let all living in the world stand in awe of him.

9 For he spoke, and there it was; he commanded, and there it stood.

10 ADONAI brings to nothing the plans of nations, he foils the plans of the peoples.

11 But the counsel of ADONAI stands forever, his heart's plans are for all generations.

12 How blessed is the nation whose God is ADONAI, the people he chose as his heritage!

13 ADONAI looks out from heaven; he sees every human being;

14 from the place where he lives he watches everyone living on earth,

15 he who fashioned the hearts of them all and understands all they do.

16 A king is not saved by the size of his army, a strong man not delivered by his great strength.

17 To rely on a horse for safety is vain, nor does its great power assure escape.

18 But ADONAI's eyes watch over those who fear him, over those who wait for his grace

19 to rescue them from death and keep them alive in famine.

20 We are waiting for ADONAI; he is our help and shield.

21 For in him our hearts rejoice, because we trust in his holy name.

22 May your mercy, ADONAI, be over us, because we put our hope in 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.

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.