Unknown
Psalm 33
Scripture (KJV)
1Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.
2Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.
3Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.
4For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.
5He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.
6By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
7He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.
8Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
9For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.
10The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.
11The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
12Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
13The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.
14From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
15He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.
16There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
17An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.
18Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
19To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
20Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.
21For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
22Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.
Summary
Psalm 33 is a joyful call to praise the LORD for His word, creation, righteousness, and unfailing counsel. The psalm opens by summoning the righteous to rejoice and play skillfully on harp and psaltery, singing a new song. The reason for praise is that the word of the LORD is right and all His works are done in truth. By that word the heavens were made and the waters gathered; He spoke and it stood fast. The nations’ counsel comes to nothing, but the counsel of the LORD stands forever. The earth is full of His goodness, and the nation whose God is the LORD is blessed.
The second half meditates on the LORD’s sovereign gaze from heaven, His fashioning of every heart, and the futility of trusting in armies or horses. The eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him and hope in His mercy, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. The psalm closes with a corporate confession: "Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield." The major themes are praise, creation, sovereignty, mercy, and trust. Practically, the psalm teaches that the same word that made the stars also governs history and watches over those who fear Him. The great lesson is that the LORD’s counsel stands forever, and His eye is on those who hope in Him.
Key Themes
A Prayer from Psalm 33
LORD, I rejoice in You, for praise is fitting for the upright. I sing to You a new song and play skillfully with a loud noise. Your word is right, and all Your works are done in truth. By Your word the heavens were made; You spoke, and it stood fast. You bring the counsel of the nations to nothing, but Your counsel stands forever. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD. You look from heaven and behold all the sons of men; You fashion our hearts alike and consider all our works. No king is saved by a great army, no warrior by much strength, no horse by its power. Let Your eye be upon me, for I fear You and hope in Your mercy. Deliver my soul from death and keep me alive in famine. My soul waits for You; You are my help and my shield. Let Your mercy be upon me according as I hope in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection Questions
- 1How does the connection between God’s word in creation and His word in my life encourage me?
- 2What "counsel of the nations" or "devices of the people" do I need to stop fearing?
- 3How does the eye of the LORD on those who fear Him comfort me in trouble?
- 4What would it look like for my soul to "wait for the LORD" as my help and shield today?
Related Psalms
Psalm 32
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Read morePsalm 98
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Read morePsalm 147
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Psalm 147 is a hymn of praise that moves with breathtaking ease between the cosmic and the intimate.
Read morePsalm 149
“Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.”
Psalm 149 is a call to joyful, embodied, even militant praise.
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