Psalms33
New International Version
1 Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
2 Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.
4 For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.
5 The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.
6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.
7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses.
8 Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him.
9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.
10 The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
11 But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.
13 From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind;
14 from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth—
15 he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.
16 No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength.
17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save.
18 But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
19 to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.
20 We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.
22 May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.
Study
Psalms 33Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 33. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: God to be praised. (1–11). His people encouraged by his power. (12–22).
vv1-11
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.
vv12-22
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.
Key Words
רָנַן: properly, to creak (or emit a stridulous sound), i.e. to shout (usually for joy)
צַדִּיק: just
תְּהִלָּה: laudation; specifically (concretely) a hymn
נָאוֶה: suitable, or beautiful
יָשָׁר: straight (literally or figuratively)
יָדָה: physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the hands)
כִּנּוֹר: a harp
זָמַר: play upon it; to make music, accompanied by the voice; hence to celebrate in song and music
נֶבֶל: a skin-bag for liquids (from collapsing when empty); hence, a vase (as similar in shape when full); also a lyre (as having a body of like form)
עָשׂוֹר: ten; by abbreviated form ten strings, and so a decachord
Cross References
Psalms 33Poole and JFB note 'Word' (Logos) in creation alludes to Christ making all things.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Poole links 'all the host of them' to the creation account of the host of heaven.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Direct sequel in theme and address: rejoicing in the Lord and uprightness.
Supported by JFB
Poole links God's goodness filling the earth with His universal kind providence to all.
Supported by Matthew Poole
JFB links the vanity of the war horse for safety to Job's description of horse strength.
Supported by JFB
JFB aligns the specific list of instruments (psaltery, ten strings) to parallel temple worship.
Supported by JFB
Poole connects the earth filled with God's goodness to His invisible attributes seen in creation.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Poole notes this as proof of God's universal witness of goodness filling the earth.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Poole identifies the 'breath of his mouth' with the agency of the Holy Spirit.
Supported by Matthew Poole
JFB notes the supreme power of God's spoken word ('He spake... it stood') matching Genesis.
Supported by JFB
JFB relates 'fashioneth their hearts' to God's ultimate control and direct knowledge of motives.
Supported by JFB
JFB links the call to sing a 'new song' with God's fresh deliverances.
Supported by JFB
JFB identifies this as a parallel call to sing a fresh, newly adapted song.
Supported by JFB
JFB links 'play skilfully' with David's noted skill in playing musical instruments.
Supported by JFB