Psalms 33

Psalms 33 calls the righteous to joyful praise of the LORD with music, for His word is true and His works are done in truth. It declares God's absolute sovereignty, by whose word the heavens were made and whose counsel stands forever, while the plans of nations are brought to nought. The psalm concludes by affirming that the LORD's eye is upon those who fear Him and hope in His mercy, providing deliverance and sustenance.

The psalm begins with an exhortation for the righteous to praise the LORD with various musical instruments and a new song, acknowledging that praise is fitting for the upright. It establishes God's character, noting that His word is right, His works are true, and He loves righteousness and judgment, filling the earth with His goodness. The text emphasizes God's creative power, stating that the heavens and all their host were made by His word and breath, and He gathered the waters of the sea. Furthermore, the LORD's command is absolute, bringing the counsel of the heathen to nothing, while His own counsel endures eternally. The psalm proclaims the blessedness of the nation chosen by the LORD, whose omnipresent gaze surveys all humanity and considers their works. It contrasts the futility of human strength and military might with the LORD's protective eye upon those who fear Him and hope in His mercy, promising deliverance and preservation. The psalmist concludes by expressing a collective waiting upon the LORD as their help and shield, trusting in His holy name and seeking His mercy.

Psalms 33 opens with an earnest call for the righteous to rejoice in the LORD, declaring that praise is a comely act for the upright. The psalmist encourages a vibrant worship, urging the use of the harp, psaltery, and an instrument of ten strings, advocating for a new song played skilfully and loudly. The foundation for this praise is laid by affirming that the word of the LORD is right, and all His works are performed in truth. God's character is further described as one who loves righteousness and judgment, filling the entire earth with His goodness. The psalm then powerfully asserts God's creative omnipotence, stating that the heavens and all their celestial host were brought into being by the word of the LORD and the breath of His mouth. He is depicted as the one who gathers the vast waters of the sea into a heap and stores the depths, underscoring His control over creation. Consequently, all the earth and its inhabitants are commanded to fear and stand in awe of Him, for His spoken word instantly brings things into existence and establishes them firmly. The psalmist highlights God's absolute sovereignty over human affairs, revealing that the LORD frustrates the counsel of the heathen and renders the devices of people ineffective. In stark contrast, the counsel of the LORD stands forever, and the thoughts of His heart endure through all generations. A beatitude is pronounced upon the nation whose God is the LORD, identifying them as a people chosen for His own inheritance. The LORD's omnipresence and omniscience are emphasized, as He looks down from heaven, beholding all humanity, and from His dwelling place surveys all inhabitants of the earth. He is the one who fashions their hearts alike and considers all their works. The psalm then dismisses the efficacy of human power for salvation, stating that no king is saved by a multitude of an army, nor is a mighty man delivered by great strength, and even a warhorse is a vain hope for safety. Instead, true security lies in the LORD, whose eye is specifically upon those who fear Him and hope in His mercy, promising to deliver their souls from death and preserve them during famine. The psalm concludes with a collective declaration of waiting for the LORD as their help and shield, expressing joy and trust in His holy name, and a final plea for His mercy to be upon them according to their hope.