Psalms 33

1 Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous, for to the upright praise is beautiful.

2 Celebrate unto the LORD with harp; sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.

3 Sing unto him a new song; play unto excellence with joy.

4 For the word of the LORD is right, and all his works are done in truth.

5 He loves righteousness and judgment; the earth is full of the mercy of the LORD.

6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

7 He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap; he lays up the deeps for treasures.

8 Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.

9 For he spoke, and it was done; he commanded, and it came into being.

10 The LORD brings the counsel of the Gentiles to nought; he makes the devices of the peoples of no effect.

11 The counsel of the LORD stands for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

12 Blessed is the people whose God is the LORD; the people whom he has chosen for his own inheritance.

13 The LORD looked from heaven; he saw all the sons of Adam.

14 From the place of his habitation he looked upon all the inhabitants of the earth.

15 He fashioned all of their hearts; he considers all their works.

16 The king is not saved by the multitude of the army; the mighty man does not escape by much strength.

17 A horse is a vain thing for salvation; neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.

18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon those that fear him, upon those that wait for his mercy

19 to deliver their souls from death and to keep them alive in the famine.

20 Our soul waited for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.

21 Therefore our heart shall rejoice in him because we have trusted in the name of his holiness.

22 Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we have waited upon thee.

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.

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.