Bible Commentaries
Psalms 33

Verses 1-22

Psalms 33:0

Structure - Psalms 33:0 declares God's sovereignty in all things:

God's sovereignty in creation (Psalms 33:6-9).

God's sovereignty in history (Psalms 33:10-17).

Psalms 33:9 For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.

Psalms 33:9 “he commanded, and it stood fast” Comments - In the first chapter of Genesis, the Hebrew verbs are in the imperative when God speaks to His creation. Thus, when God spoke, He literally commanded, as this Psalm declares. Note similar verses:

Psalms 148:5, “Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created .”

Isaiah 45:12, “I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded .”

Psalms 33:10 The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.

Psalms 33:11 The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

Psalms 33:10-11 Illustration - In Matthew 26:5 the Jewish leaders were determined to control the outcome of the death of the Son of God. The Jewish people had just honored Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem by crying “Hosanna to the Son of David…” (Matthew 21:8-9) The crowds were willing to accept Him as their new king. Although the Jewish leaders wanted to kill Jesus quietly without the notice of the people, they had not yet factored in the betrayal of Judas Iscariot, which Matthew adds to the plot in Matthew 26:14-16. When Judas presented himself to the Jewish leaders, they were subject to the time of this betrayal, which took place during the festive days in Jerusalem. It was necessary that prophecy by fulfilled and that the Passover Lamb of God be sacrificed on the Day of Atonement. While the Jewish leaders believed they were organizing this most wicked scheme of all humanity, God was taking control of its outcome for redemptive reasons according to Proverbs 16:9, “A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps,” and Proverbs 19:21, “There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.”

Scripture References - Note:

Proverbs 16:9, “A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.”

Proverbs 19:21, “There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.”

Psalms 33:16-17 Scripture References - Note:

Proverbs 21:31, “The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.”