Psalms 33

1 Sing to the Lord, you who do what is right; honest people should praise him.

2 Praise the Lord on the harp; make music for him on a ten-stringed lyre.

3 Sing a new song to him; play well and joyfully.

4 God's word is true, and everything he does is right.

5 He loves what is right and fair; the Lord's love fills the earth.

6 The sky was made at the Lord's command. By the breath from his mouth, he made all the stars.

7 He gathered the water of the sea into a heap. He made the great ocean stay in its place.

8 All the earth should worship the Lord; the whole world should fear him.

9 He spoke, and it happened. He commanded, and it appeared.

10 The Lord upsets the plans of nations; he ruins all their plans.

11 But the Lord's plans will stand forever; his ideas will last from now on.

12 Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his very own.

13 The Lord looks down from heaven and sees every person.

14 From his throne he watches all who live on earth.

15 He made their hearts and understands everything they do.

16 No king is saved by his great army. No warrior escapes by his great strength.

17 Horses can't bring victory; they can't save by their strength.

18 But the Lord looks after those who fear him, those who put their hope in his love.

19 He saves them from death and spares their lives in times of hunger.

20 So our hope is in the Lord. He is our help, our shield to protect us.

21 We rejoice in him, because we trust his holy name.

22 Lord, show your love to us as we put our hope in you. David's song from the time he acted crazy so Abimelech would send him away, and David did leave.

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Psalms 33 Commentary

Chapter 33

God to be praised. (1-11) His people encouraged by his power. (12-22)

Verses 1-11 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.

Verses 12-22 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.

Taken from Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 33

Though this psalm has no title to it, it seems to be a psalm of David, from the style and matter of it; and indeed begins with the same words with which the preceding psalm is ended. Theodoret is of opinion it was written by David as a prophecy concerning Hezekiah, as a song to be sung by the people after the destruction of the Assyrian army.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible