Psalm 33

1 Cantad justos en el SEÑOR; a los rectos es hermosa la alabanza.

2 Celebrad al SEÑOR con arpa; cantadle con salterio y decacordio.

3 ¡Cantadle canción nueva! Hacedlo bien tañendo con júbilo.

4 Porque recta es la palabra del SEÑOR, y toda su obra es hecha con verdad.

5 El ama justicia y juicio; de la misericordia del SEÑOR está llena la tierra.

6 Con la palabra del SEÑOR fueron hechos los cielos, y todo el ejército de ellos con el espíritu de su boca.

7 El junta como en un montón las aguas del mar; el pone por tesoros los abismos.

8 Tema al SEÑOR toda la tierra; teman de él todos los habitadores del mundo.

9 Porque él dijo, y fue hecho ; él mandó, y existió.

10 El SEÑOR hace anular el consejo de los gentiles, y hace anular las maquinaciones de los pueblos.

11 El consejo del SEÑOR permanecerá para siempre; los pensamientos de su corazón por todas las generaciones.

12 Bienaventurada la gente de que el SEÑOR es su Dios; el pueblo a quien escogió por heredad para sí.

13 Desde los cielos miró el SEÑOR; vio a todos los hijos de Adán.

14 Desde la morada de su asiento miró sobre todos los moradores de la tierra.

15 El formó el corazón de todos ellos; el considera todas sus obras.

16 El rey no es salvo con la multitud del ejército; no escapa el valiente con la mucha fuerza.

17 Vanidad es el caballo para la salud; con la grandeza de su fuerza no librará.

18 He aquí, el ojo del SEÑOR sobre los que le temen, sobre los que esperan su misericordia;

19 para librar sus almas de la muerte, y para darles vida en el hambre.

20 Nuestra alma esperó al SEÑOR; nuestra ayuda y nuestro escudo es él.

21 Por tanto en él se alegrará nuestro corazón, porque en el Nombre de su santidad hemos confiado.

22 Sea tu misericordia, oh SEÑOR, sobre nosotros, como te hemos esperado.

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.