Psalms33
New Living Translation
1 Let the godly sing for joy to the Lord; it is fitting for the pure to praise him.
2 Praise the Lord with melodies on the lyre; make music for him on the ten-stringed harp.
3 Sing a new song of praise to him; play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy.
4 For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does.
5 He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth.
6 The Lord merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born.
7 He assigned the sea its boundaries and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs.
8 Let the whole world fear the Lord, and let everyone stand in awe of him.
9 For when he spoke, the world began! It appeared at his command.
10 The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations and thwarts all their schemes.
11 But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken.
12 What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord, whose people he has chosen as his inheritance.
13 The Lord looks down from heaven and sees the whole human race.
14 From his throne he observes all who live on the earth.
15 He made their hearts, so he understands everything they do.
16 The best-equipped army cannot save a king, nor is great strength enough to save a warrior.
17 Don’t count on your warhorse to give you victory— for all its strength, it cannot save you.
18 But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love.
19 He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine.
20 We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.
22 Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.
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