Study

a Bible passage

Click a verse to see commentary
Select a resource above

Psalm 33

The Greatness and Goodness of God

1

Rejoice in the L ord, O you righteous.

Praise befits the upright.

2

Praise the L ord with the lyre;

make melody to him with the harp of ten strings.

3

Sing to him a new song;

play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.

 

4

For the word of the L ord is upright,

and all his work is done in faithfulness.

5

He loves righteousness and justice;

the earth is full of the steadfast love of the L ord.

 

6

By the word of the L ord the heavens were made,

and all their host by the breath of his mouth.

7

He gathered the waters of the sea as in a bottle;

he put the deeps in storehouses.

 

8

Let all the earth fear the L ord;

let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.

9

For he spoke, and it came to be;

he commanded, and it stood firm.

 

10

The L ord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;

he frustrates the plans of the peoples.

11

The counsel of the L ord stands forever,

the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

12

Happy is the nation whose God is the L ord,

the people whom he has chosen as his heritage.

 

13

The L ord looks down from heaven;

he sees all humankind.

14

From where he sits enthroned he watches

all the inhabitants of the earth—

15

he who fashions the hearts of them all,

and observes all their deeds.

16

A king is not saved by his great army;

a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.

17

The war horse is a vain hope for victory,

and by its great might it cannot save.

 

18

Truly the eye of the L ord is on those who fear him,

on those who hope in his steadfast love,

19

to deliver their soul from death,

and to keep them alive in famine.

 

20

Our soul waits for the L ord;

he is our help and shield.

21

Our heart is glad in him,

because we trust in his holy name.

22

Let your steadfast love, O L ord, be upon us,

even as we hope in you.


20. Our soul waiteth upon Jehovah. What the Psalmist has hitherto spoken concerning God’s providence, and particularly concerning that faithful guardianship by which he protects his people, he has spoken not so much from himself as from the mouth of the Holy Spirit. He now, therefore, in the name of the whole Church, raises his song to declare that there is nothing better than to commit our welfare to God. Thus we see that the fruit of the preceding doctrine is set forth to all true believers, that they may unhesitatingly cast themselves with confidence, and with a cheerful heart, upon the paternal care of God. In this matter, the Psalmist declares nothing concerning himself in particular, but unites the whole of the godly with him in the acknowledgement of the same faith. There is an emphasis in the word soul which should be attended to; for, although this is a common mode of speech among the Hebrews, yet it expresses earnest affection; as if believers should say, We sincerely rely upon God with our whole heart, accounting him our shield and help.


VIEWNAME is study