Psalm 33 — Praise God of Creation and Providence
33 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.
Man will trust in about anything before he will consider trusting in the One True God, despite the repetitive call in the Bible for man to trust in YHWH (Ps. 118:8). This explains his radical need for God’s grace to give him faith. Those in the church often need to be riled up to praise God because His ways are too often indiscernible by us. We are distracted. Faith frequently stems from praise. Therefore, David calls Israel and all the inhabitants of the earth to praise YHWH.
Psalm 33 is a hymn of praise with no title (orphanic). The setting may be a military siege, but we are not sure. The author seems to have one eye on creation and one eye on history. He is reflecting on the providence of God in all matters. He invites us to praise YHWH (vv. 1–3). Next, he gives us numerous reasons to praise YHWH (vv. 4–19). Finally, he affirms Israel’s trust in YHWH (vv. 20–22). The lack of title and focus on praise offers a close link to Psalm 32 with some ancient commentators opting to tie them together. The earth and all that is in it are summoned to worship the Lord; however, from a universal argument unto a particular set of reasons, only Israel displays the necessary fear and hope.
David invited God’s people to express their worship of YHWH in song (v. 1). O you righteous ones, you upright, praise YHWH. The verbs throughout Psalm 33 are second person plural imperatives. The righteous learned in Psalm 32 that righteousness is imputed, not merited, so there is the first reason to praise Him. The community of faith and the nations are beckoned, but only one responds in song, while the other looks baffled at the prospect of worshiping.
David invited God’s people to express their worship of YHWH with instruments (v. 2). The first instrument employed is the human pipe organ, which produces sound and song from the heart and through the mouth. The accompaniment for singing praises and giving thanks, the lyre and ten-stringed harp, stir the emotions in a most wonderful way. Music abounds in the world, but the upright know that music is to be played unto YHWH. The Christian artist need not be double-minded in these matters. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord!
David invited God’s people to exercise their creative gifts in exuberant worship (v. 3). To Him the new song, with shouts of joy, is offered in singing and playing music. Skillful playing suggests the best our labor can produce. How inviting and inspiring Christian music could be if the community of faith put forth a concerted effort to support Christian artists in their work to aid our worship. How long will the life of poverty be a prerequisite for preachers and artists in the fellowship of wealthy Christians? Together we suffer for lack of giving to the glory of God, and what a storehouse of blessing would be poured out if God’s people understood this economy.
David reasoned that God’s Word and work warranted their praise-filled worship (v. 4). The text shifts here with the conjunction “For.” David offers some reasons for praising YHWH, and he will not stop reasoning until verse 19. His logic begins with the Word of YHWH, which is aptly complemented by all the work of YHWH. The Word and work establish the argument for praise because the Word is upright and His work is faithful. The character of God is displayed in these categories. Your study of God’s Word will illumine God’s work in the world and produce praise in your heart. All that He is and does is worthy of our optimum adoration.
David gave more reasons for Israel’s praise of YHWH (v. 5). Righteousness and justice are His attributes, and He loves to see them displayed in man, the one creature made in His image. In addition, His lovingkindness, or faithful care, is filling the earth with testimony. Hence, the heavens and earth declare the glory of God. The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it (Ps. 24:1); therefore, if YHWH requires everything to praise Him, then we must comply. Let us consider His creation around us and His imperative in Psalm 33 to fulfill His worship mandate.
David elaborated on the significance of the Word of God in the creation of all things (v. 6). The connection between the Word and work of God is now made clear. YHWH’s Word made the heavens, and in synonymous form, His breath or Spirit created the stars above. For YHWH to get the job done, creating something from nothing, only demands His Word and it is finished. The allusion to the Genesis creation account (Gen. 1 and 2) honors its placement at the very beginning of the Scriptures. YHWH desires for us to acknowledge His creative power in creation, the very thing evolutionists wish to denigrate. They obsess on the creation but derogate the Creator. They are idolaters.
David elaborated on the power of God in constraining nature (v. 7). From thoughts of Genesis, David immediately muses the Exodus. YHWH creates with Word and Spirit (possibly a Trinitarian allusion), but He controls nature by heaping up waters and storing them in the bowls of the earth. Exodus 14–15 remind us of YHWH’s power to deliver Israel from Egypt by parting the Red Sea. He repeats His feat in the River Jordon as the deliverance into the Promised Land is accomplished by holding back the waters of the flooding river (Joshua 3:16). In both cases, the children of Israel cross over on dry ground. In both cases, the instructive Word of God preceded the mighty work of God.
David made a universal call to all the earth and its people to fear YHWH (v. 8). The Word informs the world on its proper response. The “all” phrases are noteworthy throughout Psalm 33. Here, all the earth and all the inhabitants of the world are given instruction. The verbs reveal right reaction: fear and stand in awe. The Gospel call is a universal plea for everything that has breath to praise the Lord. The Gospel is proclaimed to all creation, but because of the fall from grace into sin, there is even a lethargic response by God’s people. The rest ignore Him.
David, as all preachers should, desires to stir things up a bit. Hot or cold people are welcome!
David summarized the act of creation in one sentence (v. 9). The continuing conjunction, “for” again expresses seemingly endless evidence. He spoke and it was done is complemented with He commanded and it stood fast. Creation’s submission teaches man how it is with God. YHWH’s sovereign rule is over creation, but what about the pinnacle of His creative work?
David reasoned God’s providence superseding the plans of man further warranted Israel’s worship (v. 10). Creation is in compliance, although it groans because it is a witness to human rebellion. Imagine the fire or security alarm in the place you are sitting and reading discharging a shrill of loud noise. Rebellion! Rebellion! Rebellion! is the background siren of the text. The nations, as it was in Psalm 1 and 2, are counseling against YHWH and Jesus. Jesus, however, frustrated and nullified the works of the devil at the cross. Man, with his deceitful heart, makes his plans, but man’s plans are not God’s plans. Providence prevails.
David contrasted the futile plans of man with the eternal plan of YHWH (v. 11). The counsel and plans, from the heart of YHWH, are consistent in every generation and for eternity. Heaven and earth will pass away, but His Word will not pass away. The enduring Word stands forever, a guide and help to those who fear the Lord in every era. David’s plea to us, “trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.”
David argued God’s election of His people was a reason to worship Him (v. 12). The key verse in Psalm 33 is a beatitude (c/f 1:1; 32:1–2). Blessed is the nation may appear to be open to all nations, but all nations are diluted with unrighteousness from the ungodly. The blessed nation is typed by Israel, a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a people for God’s own possession (1 Pet. 2:9). The church is the holy nation because not all Israel is Israel (Rom 9:6); for Israel, seeking for salvation has not obtained it, but those who were chosen obtained it and the rest were hardened (Rom 11:7). The church, elect Jews and Gentiles, are chosen for His own inheritance. God (Elohim) is the Lord (YHWH) who has used His free will and made His gracious choice is conforming His people to the image of His Son and for eternity. Praise Him!
David reminded Israel that God is all-seeing from His heavenly vantage point (v. 13). Heavenly observation is quite common, beginning in Genesis 6 at the Flood and in Genesis 11 at Babel. YHWH looks from heaven and sees all the sons of men, and what does He see? First, God looks into the human heart rather than at appearance. Sinners swagger from the heart. Second, the universality of His inspection is tallied with the “all” phrases. All sinners hate His scrutiny, but saints appreciate His gracious attention. David repeated the idea of YHWH’s view to all men upon the earth (v. 14). The synonymous parallelism again adds emphasis. God wants us to know He is watching everyone from above. Did you get that? The endless array of surveillance cameras cannot compare with the attention given by the One who never sleeps…but who watches everyone from His dwelling place on high.
David presented YHWH’s omniscience as a reason for praise (v. 15). YHWH knows everything. When He created everything, He fashioned everything for all times. He knows the inner workings of everything and attentively oversees the working out of all things. The hearts of them all and all their works are understood by Him. He knows why some praise Him and some do not praise Him. His mission is producing more and more worshipers in the earth as it is in heaven. He, conformed to Christ’s image, must become fruitful, multiply and fill the earth.
David warned against political leaders and soldiers who trust in military strength (v. 16). A helpful illustration occupies these next two verses. When everyone does what is right in his own eyes, there is a desire to centralize the government because of the threat of chaos. Israel, during the time of Judges, asked for a king. Kings trust in the size and swiftness of their militaries. Great! Great! Great! is the king, his warriors, and his armies. Here is the philosophy and ambition of humanism. The human potential industry has never been greater than today.
David used the imagery of a strong horse as a shallow trust (v. 17). Man bets and banks on horses. The strong and the swift invite the trust of men. Pharaoh bought in. Goliath’s weapons were surety for taunting the armies of Israel. Sennacherib suckered to the siege. Men of faith: Moses, David, Hezekiah, Gideon, etc. learned to trust what David so accurately stated, “the battle belongs to the Lord.” False hope is available from everything for the elusive deliverance unto victory. Our victory is faith in Christ’s victory on the cross, and He remains our only hope.
David reiterated God’s view to His people, who revere Him in worship (v. 18). Behold…take a good long look at this! God is watching His children, those who fear Him. Fear Him and wait on Him, living in His faithful care (hesed). This major theme, hesed, in the Psalms brings us to the climax of David’s argument. Cast all your cares on Him for He cares for you!
David presented the temporal and eternal benefits of God’s ability to see the needs of His people (v. 19). The allusion points us to a subsequent prophet. Elijah’s supernatural walk through famine, and rapture to heaven, teach us God’s providential care in deliverance from death to abundant life and from eternal death to eternal life. The prophet trusted YHWH, although not perfectly, receiving much grace and favor. Has David made his case for you to trust YHWH?
In response, David articulated the position of dependent hope exercised by God’s people (v. 20). Patient confidence gets help and protection from YHWH, for His name sake. David gave the reason for hope in YHWH, being faith and joy (v. 21). The pronouns here are first person plurals. True Israel proclaims its faith in the name of Jesus Messiah with no disappointment.
David offered a prayer to YHWH, asking for His faithful care for those who waited for Him (v. 22). The Lord Jesus Christ prayed one for you in John 17. May the Son be exalted in your life, in the world; and may joy abound in you, as you praise Him all of your days on the earth!
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
June 22, 2021
