Psalm 33

1 Jubelt, ihr Gerechten, in Jehova! Den Aufrichtigen geziemt Lobgesang.

2 Preiset Jehova mit der Laute; singet ihm Psalmen mit der Harfe von zehn Saiten!

3 Singet ihm ein neues Lied; spielet wohl mit Jubelschall!

4 Denn gerade ist das Wort Jehovas, und all sein Werk in Wahrheit.

5 Er liebt Gerechtigkeit und Recht; die Erde ist voll der Güte Jehovas.

6 Durch Jehovas Wort sind die Himmel gemacht, und all ihr Heer durch den Hauch seines Mundes.

7 Er sammelt die Wasser des Meeres wie einen Haufen, legt in Behälter die Fluten.

8 Es fürchte sich vor Jehova die ganze Erde; mögen sich vor ihm scheuen alle Bewohner des Erdkreises!

9 Denn er sprach, und es war; er gebot, und es stand da.

10 Jehova macht zunichte den Ratschluß der Nationen, er vereitelt die Gedanken der Völker.

11 Der Ratschluß Jehovas besteht ewiglich, die Gedanken seines Herzens von Geschlecht zu Geschlecht.

12 Glückselig die Nation, deren Gott Jehova ist, das Volk, das er sich erkoren zum Erbteil!

13 Jehova blickt von den Himmeln herab, er sieht alle Menschenkinder.

14 Von der Stätte seiner Wohnung schaut er auf alle Bewohner der Erde;

15 Er, der da bildet ihr Herz allesamt, der da merkt auf alle ihre Werke.

16 Ein König wird nicht gerettet durch die Größe seines Heeres; ein Held wird nicht befreit durch die Größe der Kraft.

17 Ein Trug ist das Roß zur Rettung, und durch die Größe seiner Stärke läßt es nicht entrinnen.

18 Siehe, das Auge Jehovas ist gerichtet auf die, so ihn fürchten, auf die, welche auf seine Güte harren,

19 um ihre Seele vom Tode zu erretten und sie am Leben zu erhalten in Hungersnot.

20 Unsere Seele wartet auf Jehova; unsere Hilfe und unser Schild ist er.

21 Denn in ihm wird unser Herz sich freuen, weil wir seinem heiligen Namen vertraut haben.

22 Deine Güte, Jehova, sei über uns, gleichwie wir auf dich geharrt haben.

Psalm 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.