Psalm 33

1 Salmo 33
Que los justos canten de alegría al Señor
;
les corresponde a los puros alabarle.

2 Alaben al Señor
con melodías de la lira;
toquen música para él en el arpa de diez cuerdas.

3 Entónenle un cántico nuevo de alabanza;
toquen el arpa con destreza y canten con alegría.

4 Pues la palabra del Señor
es verdadera
y podemos confiar en todo lo que él hace.

5 Él ama lo que es justo y bueno;
el amor inagotable del Señor
llena la tierra.

6 El Señor
tan solo habló
y los cielos fueron creados.
Sopló la palabra,
y nacieron todas las estrellas.

7 Asignó los límites al mar
y encerró los océanos en enormes depósitos.

8 Que todo el mundo tema al Señor
y todos estén ante él con temor reverente.

9 Pues cuando habló, el mundo comenzó a existir;
apareció por orden del Señor
.

10 El Señor
frustra los planes de las naciones
y hace fracasar todas sus intrigas.

11 Pero los planes del Señor
se mantienen firmes para siempre;
sus propósitos nunca serán frustrados.

12 Qué alegría para la nación cuyo Dios es el Señor
,
cuyo pueblo él eligió como herencia.

13 El Señor
mira desde el cielo
y ve a toda la raza humana.

14 Desde su trono observa
a todos los que viven en la tierra.

15 Él hizo el corazón de ellos,
así que entiende todo lo que hacen.

16 El ejército mejor equipado no puede salvar a un rey,
ni una gran fuerza es suficiente para salvar a un guerrero.

17 No confíes en tu caballo de guerra para obtener la victoria;
por mucha fuerza que tenga, no te puede salvar.

18 Pero el Señor
vela por los que le temen,
por aquellos que confían en su amor inagotable.

19 Los rescata de la muerte
y los mantiene con vida en tiempos de hambre.

20 Nosotros ponemos nuestra esperanza en el Señor
;
él es nuestra ayuda y nuestro escudo.

21 En él se alegra nuestro corazón,
porque confiamos en su santo nombre.

22 Que tu amor inagotable nos rodee, Señor
,
porque solo en ti está nuestra esperanza.

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.