Psalm 33

1 Freuet euch des HERRN, ihr Gerechten; die Frommen sollen ihn preisen.

2 Danket dem HERRN mit Harfen und lobsinget ihm auf dem Psalter von zehn Saiten.

3 Singet ihm ein neues Lied; machet's gut auf Saitenspiel mit Schall.

4 Denn des HERRN Wort ist wahrhaftig; und was er zusagt, das hält er gewiß.

5 Er liebt die Gerechtigkeit und Gericht; die Erde ist voll der Güte des Herrn.

6 Der Himmel ist durch das Wort des HERRN gemacht und all sein Heer durch den Geist seines Mundes.

7 Er hält das Wasser im Meer zusammen wie in einem Schlauch und legt die Tiefen in das Verborgene.

8 Alle Welt fürchte den Herrn; und vor ihm scheue sich alles, was auf dem Erdboden wohnt.

9 Denn so er spricht, so geschieht's; so er gebeut, so stehet's da.

10 Der HERR macht zunichte der Heiden Rat und wendet die Gedanken der Völker.

11 Aber der Rat des HERRN bleibt ewiglich, seines Herzens Gedanken für und für.

12 Wohl dem Volk, des Gott der HERR ist, dem Volk, das er zum Erbe erwählt hat!

13 Der HERR schaut vom Himmel und sieht aller Menschen Kinder.

14 Von seinem festen Thron sieht er auf alle, die auf Erden wohnen.

15 Er lenkt ihnen allen das Herz; er merkt auf alle ihre Werke.

16 Einem Könige hilft nicht seine große Macht; ein Riese wird nicht errettet durch seine große Kraft.

17 Rosse helfen auch nicht, und ihre große Stärke errettet nicht.

18 Siehe, des HERRN Auge sieht auf die, so ihn fürchten, die auf seine Güte hoffen,

19 daß er ihre Seele errette vom Tode und ernähre sie in der Teuerung.

20 Unsre Seele harrt auf den HERRN; er ist unsre Hilfe und Schild.

21 Denn unser Herz freut sich sein, und wir trauen auf seinen heiligen Namen.

22 Deine Güte, HERR, sei über uns, wie wir auf dich hoffen.

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.