Bible Commentaries
Psalms 33

Verse 1

33:1 Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: [for] praise is {a} comely for the upright.

(a) It is the duty of the godly to set forth the praises of God for his mercy and power showed to them.

Verse 2

33:2 Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery [and] an {b} instrument of ten strings.

(b) To sing on instruments, was a part of the ceremonial service of the temple, which does not belong to us any more than the sacrifices, censors and light.

Verse 4

33:4 For the {c} word of the LORD [is] right; and all his {d} works [are done] in truth.

(c) That is, counsel or command in governing the world.

(d) That is, the effect and execution.

Verse 5

33:5 He {e} loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.

(e) However the world judges God’s works, yet he does all things according to justice and mercy.

Verse 7

33:7 He {f} gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.

(f) By the creation of the heavens and beautiful ornament with the gathering also of the waters, he sets forth the power of God, that all creatures might fear him.

Verse 10

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

(g) No counsel can prevail against God, but he deserves it, and it will have evil success.

Verse 12

33:12 Blessed [is] the nation whose {h} God [is] the LORD; [and] the people [whom] he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

(h) He shows that all our happiness stands in this, that the Lord is our God.

Verse 13

33:13 The LORD {i} looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.

(i) He proves that all things are governed by God’s providence and not by fortune.

Verse 15

33:15 He {k} fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.

(k) Therefore he knows their wicked enterprises.

Verse 16

33:16 There is no {l} king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.

(l) If kings and the mighty of the world cannot be saved by worldly means, but only by God’s providence, what do others have to trust in, who have not similar means?

Verse 18

33:18 Behold, {m} the eye of the LORD [is] upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;

(m) God shows his mercy toward his, which man by no means is able to compass.

Verse 20

33:20 {n} Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he [is] our help and our shield.

(n) Thus he speaks in the name of the whole Church which only depends on God’s providence.