Psalm 33

1 Canten al SEÑOR con alegría, ustedes los justos;es propio de los íntegros alabar al SEÑOR.

2 Alaben al SEÑOR al son del arpa;entonen alabanzas con el decacordio.

3 Cántenle una canción nueva;toquen con destreza,y den voces de alegría.

4 La palabra del SEÑOR es justa;fieles son todas sus obras.

5 El SEÑOR ama la justicia y el derecho;llena está la tierra de su amor.

6 Por la palabra del SEÑOR fueron creados los cielos,y por el soplo de su boca, las estrellas.

7 Él recoge en un cántaro el agua de los mares,y junta en vasijas los océanos.

8 Tema toda la tierra al SEÑOR;hónrenlo todos los pueblos del mundo;

9 porque él habló, y todo fue creado;dio una orden, y todo quedó firme.

10 El SEÑOR frustra los planes de las naciones;desbarata los designios de los pueblos.

11 Pero los planes del SEÑOR quedan firmes para siempre;los designios de su mente son eternos.

12 Dichosa la nación cuyo Dios es el SEÑOR,el pueblo que escogió por su heredad.

13 El SEÑOR observa desde el cieloy ve a toda la humanidad;

14 él contempla desde su tronoa todos los habitantes de la tierra.

15 Él es quien formó el corazón de todos,y quien conoce a fondo todas sus acciones.

16 No se salva el rey por sus muchos soldados,ni por su mucha fuerza se libra el valiente.

17 Vana esperanza de victoria es el caballo;a pesar de su mucha fuerza no puede salvar.

18 Pero el SEÑOR cuida de los que le temen,de los que esperan en su gran amor;

19 él los libra de la muerte,y en épocas de hambre los mantiene con vida.

20 Esperamos confiados en el SEÑOR;él es nuestro socorro y nuestro escudo.

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

22 Que tu gran amor, SEÑOR, nos acompañe,tal como lo esperamos de ti.

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.