1 Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: [for] praise is comely for the upright.
2 Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery [and] an instrument of ten strings.
3 Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.
4 For the word of the LORD [is] right; and all his works [are done] in truth.
5 He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.
6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
7 He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.
8 Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
9 For he spake, and it was [done]; he commanded, and it stood fast.
10 The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.
11 The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
12 Blessed [is] the nation whose God [is] the LORD; [and] the people [whom] he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
13 The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.
14 From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
15 He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.
16 There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
17 An horse [is] a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver [any] by his great strength.
18 Behold, the eye of the LORD [is] upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he [is] our help and our shield.
21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
22 Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.
Overview of Psalm 33
Psalm 33 is a hymn of praise that emphasizes the greatness of God as the Creator and the importance of trust in Him. This chapter encourages the faithful to rejoice in the Lord and highlights His sovereignty over the earth and His providential care for those who fear Him.
Thematic Elements
- Praise and Worship: The psalm begins with a call to worship, encouraging the righteous to sing joyfully to the Lord.
- The Sovereignty of God: It emphasizes God’s power in creation and His control over the nations.
- Trust in God: The psalm reassures believers that those who hope in the Lord will be blessed.
- God’s Faithfulness: It affirms God’s steadfast love and faithfulness to His people.
Structure and Literary Devices
- Call to Worship (Verses 1-3):
- Exhortation to the righteous to rejoice and praise the Lord.
- Use of musical imagery, encouraging the use of instruments in worship.
- The Nature of God (Verses 4-9):
- Declaration of God’s word as upright and His works as faithful.
- Emphasis on God’s creative power and authority over the universe.
- Use of metaphors to describe the power of God’s command in creation.
- God’s Sovereignty Over Nations (Verses 10-12):
- God’s plans prevail over human schemes.
- Blessing pronounced on nations that acknowledge God as their Lord.
- The Care of God for His People (Verses 13-19):
- God’s omniscience and omnipresence; He observes all humanity.
- Assurance that God protects and delivers those who fear Him.
- Conclusion: Call to Hope (Verses 20-22):
- Encouragement to wait in hope for the Lord.
- Affirmation of God’s love and mercy as reasons for trust.
Theological Insights
- The Nature of God: The psalm presents God as both powerful and personal, capable of creating the universe and intimately involved in the lives of His people.
- Human Responsibility: The call to worship indicates that humans are to respond to God’s greatness with praise and trust.
- Divine Providence: The psalm reassures believers that God’s plans will ultimately succeed, regardless of human efforts.
Application for Believers
- Encouragement to Worship: Believers are reminded of the importance of corporate and individual worship as a response to God’s greatness.
- Trust in God’s Sovereignty: In times of uncertainty, this psalm encourages believers to place their trust in God’s plans and purposes.
- Living in Hope: The call to hope serves as a reminder to maintain faith in God’s goodness and love, especially during challenging times.
Conclusion
Psalm 33 serves as a powerful reminder of God’s sovereignty, faithfulness, and the appropriate human response of praise and trust. It invites believers to rejoice in the Lord and assures them of His providential care over their lives.
