1 Be glad in the Lord, O doers of righteousness; for praise is beautiful for the upright.
2 Give praise to the Lord on the corded instrument; make melody to him with instruments of music.
3 Make a new song to him; playing expertly with a loud noise.
4 For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his works are certain.
5 His delight is in righteousness and wisdom; the earth is full of the mercy of the Lord.
6 By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the army of heaven by the breath of his mouth.
7 He makes the waters of the sea come together in a mass; he keeps the deep seas in store-houses.
8 Let the earth be full of the fear of the Lord; let all the people of the world be in holy fear of him.
9 For he gave the word, and it was done; by his order it was fixed for ever.
10 The Lord undoes the designs of the nations; he makes the thoughts of the peoples without effect.
11 The Lord's purpose is eternal, the designs of his heart go on through all the generations of man.
12 Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he has taken for his heritage.
13 The Lord is looking down from heaven; he sees all the sons of men;
14 From his house he keeps watch on all who are living on the earth;
15 He makes all their hearts; their works are clear to him.
16 A king's salvation is not in the power of his army; a strong man does not get free by his great strength.
17 A horse is a false hope; his great power will not make any man free from danger.
18 See, the eye of the Lord is on those in whose hearts is the fear of him, on those whose hope is in his mercy;
19 To keep their souls from death; and to keep them living in time of need.
20 Our souls are waiting for the Lord; he is our help and our salvation.
21 For in him our hearts have joy; in his holy name is our hope.
22 Let your mercy be on us, O Lord, as we are waiting for you.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 33
Commentary on Psalms 33 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 33
Ps 33:1-22. A call to lively and joyous praise to God for His glorious attributes and works, as displayed in creation, and His general and special providence, in view of which, the Psalmist, for all the pious, professes trust and joy and invokes God's mercy.
1-3. The sentiment falls in with Ps 32:11 (compare 1Co 14:15). The instruments (Ps 92:3; 144:9) do not exclude the voice.
3. a new song—fresh, adapted to the occasion (Ps 40:3; 96:1).
play skilfully—(Compare 1Sa 16:17).
4-9. Reasons for praise: first, God's truth, faithfulness, and mercy, generally; then, His creative power which all must honor.
6. In "word" and "breath"—or, "spirit," there may be an allusion to the Son (Joh 1:1) and Holy Spirit.
9. he spake—literally, "said."
it was—The addition of "done" weakens the sense (compare Ge 1:3-10).
10, 11. In God's providence He thwarts men's purposes and executes His own.
heathen—literally, "nations."
12-19. The inference from the foregoing in Ps 33:12 is illustrated by God's special providence, underlying which is His minute knowledge of all men.
13. looketh—intently (Isa 14:16).
15. fashioneth—or, "forms," and hence knows and controls (Pr 21:1).
alike—without exception.
considereth—or, "understands"; God knows men's motives.
16, 17. Men's usual reliances in their greatest exigencies are, in themselves, useless.
17. On the war horse (compare Job 39:19-25).
a vain thing—a lie, which deceives us.
18, 19. Contrasted is God's guidance and power to save from the greatest earthly evil and its most painful precursor, and hence from all.
20-22. waiteth—in earnest expectation.
21. his holy name—(Compare Ps 5:12; 22:22; 30:4). Our faith measures mercy (Mt 9:29); and if of grace, it is no more of debt (Ro 11:6).