Psalms 33

1 All you that are righteous, shout for joy for what the Lord has done; praise him, all you that obey him.

2 Give thanks to the Lord with harps, sing to him with stringed instruments.

3 Sing a new song to him, play the harp with skill, and shout for joy!

4 The words of the Lord are true, and all his works are dependable.

5 The Lord loves what is righteous and just; his constant love fills the earth.

6 The Lord created the heavens by his command, the sun, moon, and stars by his spoken word.

7 He gathered all the seas into one place; he shut up the ocean depths in storerooms.

8 Worship the Lord, all the earth! Honor him, all peoples of the world!

9 When he spoke, the world was created; at his command everything appeared.

10 The Lord frustrates the purposes of the nations; he keeps them from carrying out their plans.

11 But his plans endure forever; his purposes last eternally.

12 Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord; happy are the people he has chosen for his own!

13 The Lord looks down from heaven and sees all of us humans.

14 From where he rules, he looks down on all who live on earth.

15 He forms all their thoughts and knows everything they do.

16 A king does not win because of his powerful army; ¹ a soldier does not triumph because of his strength.

17 War horses are useless for victory; their great strength cannot save.

18 The Lord watches over those who obey him, those who trust in his constant love.

19 He saves them from death; he keeps them alive in times of famine.

20 We put our hope in the Lord; he is our protector and our help.

21 We are glad because of him; we trust in his holy name.

22 May your constant love be with us, Lord, as we put our hope in you.

Psalms 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.

Cross References

• 1. +233.16Jude 9.7;1 Maccabees 3.19.

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.