Psalms 33:18

18 Behold, the eye of Yahweh [is] on those who fear him, on those who hope for his loyal love

Psalms 33:18 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 33:18

Behold, the eye of the Lord [is] upon them that fear him
Not with dread of his wrath, or distrust of his grace, or for sinister ends and selfish views, but with a godly fear; by which men hate evil, depart from it, are careful not to offend God by it, but to serve and worship him; on such is not only his eye of Providence to protect from danger, to supply with the necessaries of life, but of love and grace; he looks upon them with delight and pleasure; his eye is upon them to watch over them for good, to guard them from every enemy, and from all evil, and to communicate to them every needful measure of grace;

upon them that hope in his mercy;
not his absolute mercy, but his special mercy in Christ; which appears in the provision of him as a Saviour, in the mission of him into this world, and redemption by him; and is displayed in regeneration, the pardon of sin, and eternal life: and such that hope in it are they that see themselves miserable creatures, and in need of it; and who are encouraged to hope in it from the plenty and abundance of it in the heart of God; and from the many instances of it among men, and even some the chief of sinners; and they do hope in it for the forgiveness of their sins, and for salvation and eternal glory; and on these the eye of the Lord is, as before,

Psalms 33:18 In-Context

16 The king [is] not saved by [the] greatness of an army. The warrior is not delivered by [the] greatness of strength.

17 The horse [is] a false hope for victory, nor can it save by the greatness of its power.

18 Behold, the eye of Yahweh [is] on those who fear him, on those who hope for his loyal love

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

20 Our soul waits for Yahweh; he [is] our help and our shield.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "wait expectantly"