Psalm 33/Commentary

Psalm 33 “Maker and Monarch”

“If the purest form of a hymn is praise to God for what He is and does, this is a fine example. The body of the psalm is occupied with the Lord as Creator, Sovereign, Judge and Saviour, while the beginning and end express two elements of worship: an offering of praise, doing honour to so great a King, and a declaration of trust, made in humble expectation” (Kidner p. 136). “It looks to all nations and to all generations and calls on all people everywhere to praise God and thank Him for His universal blessings. It is a praise psalm for everyone” (Boice p. 285).

Rejoice In The Lord 33:1 Note the enthusiasm which is commanded of the righteous when it comes to worship. We are called upon to “sing for joy” or “sing aloud”, that is to sing from the heart (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). Such praise is to be vocal, heart-felt and loud, “with a shout of joy” (33:3).

33:1 “Praise is becoming to the upright”: Praise is the natural response of God’s people for receiving His benefits. Something is seriously wrong in our hearts if we aren’t drawn to worship God with gladness and enthusiasm.

Something is wrong if we aren’t moved to sing with all our heart. Psalm 100 is an excellent description of the attitude that we should have when we gather to worship God. “It is the ‘righteous’ who are summoned here to worship because they have been separated from the heathen, cleansed, and called to know the living God. Their praise is ‘beautiful’ or ‘fitting’, in harmony with the God who has ordained it. By God’s decree they are now ‘a kingdom of priests and a holy nation’ (Exodus 19:6)” (Williams p. 247).

33:2 In the Old Testament, various musical instruments were used in praising God (Psalm 150). In the New Testament, the only music commanded is singing (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16).

Point To Note: Since God has simply commanded singing for congregational worship in the New Testament, how much more do we need to sing with joy and enthusiasm.

33:3 “Sing to Him a new song”: “Note the call in that verse for freshness and skill as well as fervor; three qualities rarely found together in religious music. In due course the quiet close of the psalm will make the further point that jubilance is not the only mood in worship” (Kidner p. 136). A “new song” could be: 1. An old song sung with fresh appreciation, every praise song should emerge from a fresh awareness of God’s blessings. “Not necessarily a song unheard before, but one fresh from the singer’s heart” (P.P. Comm. p. 246). One which springs freshly from a thankful and rejoicing heart. “Any old hymn becomes new and fresh when it is sung with true devotion” (Leupold p. 272). 3. In addition, a “new song” might be exactly that, there is always the need for God’s people to compose new spiritual songs. “Each new act of God in the history of redemption is a new occasion for praise. The ‘new song’ is new in the sense that it celebrates a new act of God’s redemption” (Gaebelein p. 277). For passages on “a new song” see: Psalms 40:3; 96:1; 98:1; 144:9; 149:1; Isaiah 42:10; Revelation 5:9; 14:3.

33:3 “Play skillfully”: “This is not amateur hour. We are to offer our very best to God” (Williams p. 247). When we sing, are we trying to do the best we can?

Do I spend any time trying to improve my singing?

33:4 “For”: Here is one of the reasons for such hearty worship. Worship, which is enthusiastic and vibrant, should be our response to the Word of God. God’s word is “upright”, that is, right and straightforward. There is no deception in anything which God has said. Everything that God does or says is done in a trustworthy and faithful manner.

Point To Note: We should fall on our knees when we realize that God has given us a message which contains the whole truth (John 17:17). God has given us a road-map to heaven, a message that will completely equip us to help others (2 Timothy 3:1617), and save our own souls (1 Timothy 4:16). Nothing that God has said in the Bible can fail or is untrue (Heb. 6:18). Everything that He has said, promised or threatened will come to pass (Heb. 10:23; 2 Peter 3:9). Do we take the Word of God for granted? David didn’t! (Psalm 19:7ff; 119:1ff) Righteous men and women don’t spend their time trying to undermine the confidence of others in the Scriptures. A godly person will not claim that the Bible contains errors or misinformation.

33:4 “And all His work is done in faithfulness”: “How different it is with us: We say one thing and do another, so that we are inconsistent at best and hypocritical or blatantly dishonest at our worst. God is utterly consistent, always upright, and consistently good…There are no areas of His speech or actions for which He can be faulted” (Boice p. 287). Do we take God for granted? Are we ever thankful that this world isn’t governed by a God who is unrighteous?

33:5 Note what God loves. God isn’t a passive being with no emotions, likes or dislikes. There are things which God loves and which God hates (Proverbs 6:16-19). God loves righteousness and justice. Righteousness would include moral purity in relationships, and justice would include, true judgments. In addition, God’s lovingkindness, mercy, grace or steadfast love is evident everywhere on the planet. 1. Even ungrateful and evil men receive God’s physical blessings which is evidence of God’s mercy (Luke 6:35). 2. Another evidence is that the sinner is given many opportunities to repent (Romans 2:15). 3. God is patiently waiting for all men to repent (2 Peter 3:9).

Point To Note: The Psalmist saw that the earth was full of God’s goodness. How strange that other people, when they look at the same planet, argue that a good and loving God doesn’t exist. What do we see when we look at the world? Do we see the mercy and love of God? If we are complaining about all the suffering in the world, and how a good and loving God could allow such, then we aren’t seeing the true reality. “The rule of faith is that whatever God decrees is right, and whatever He brings to pass is faithful and true” (Gaebelein p. 278).

His Creative Word 33:6 “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made”: Here is another reason to burst forth in praise to God. “To know that nothing came into existence but by God’s command, is to be confronted with pure creation, not iron necessity, since God acted in freedom” (Kidner p. 136). “This verse reminds us that the magnificent heavens in all their vastness and splendor were made by nothing more than the mere word or command of God. To catch a further glimpse of what that involves, we are reminded that it required no more than ‘the breath of His mouth’” (Leupold p. 273). Are you ready to worship yet? “This is fiat creation, creation by the naked word of God, and it is entirely different from and infinitely superior to anything mere human beings can do” (Boice p. 287).

Point To Note: This is creation out of nothing! When God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1), He didn’t use any preexisting materials, or any raw materials. He simply created everything out of nothing! That is real power! The mere breath of His mouth is powerful enough to create the entire universe! Therefore, in a sense the ultimate blasphemy or insult to God, is to argue that the universe created itself or simply happened by chance. Evolution isn’t a harmless human speculation, rather, on the most fundamental of truths, it is an attempt to strip God of His glory, and claim that God didn’t make what He said He made (Heb. 3:4; Isaiah 42:5). It is in effect claiming that God is a liar.

33:6 “All their host”: That is, all the heavenly bodies, including all the stars.

Compare with Genesis 1:3,14.

33:7 The Lord easily collects water and piles it up as in storehouses. “He contains the seas(oceans) as easily as a farmer keeps the grain in a storehouse.

Rainstorms, hurricanes, flash floods, subterranean waters, and the mighty oceans inspire awe because of their power and existence apart from man. How much greater we should stand in awe of the Lord!” (Gaebelein p. 278). By God’s command the seas were formed (Genesis 1:9). His power is seen in His fixing the bounds of the oceans and confining them within these. In times past He has used such waters to accomplish His judgments (Psalm 104:5-9; Genesis 6-8).

“It is the secret of the psalmists’ enthusiasm for the created world, an enthusiasm which is increased rather than diminished by their sense of its smallness in comparison with Him” (Kidner p. 136).

33:8 This should simply be the natural response to the truths presented in the previous verses. Everyone should be humbled before His power and majesty.

The secret to humility and worship, isn’t some sort of frenzied religious entertainment, rather, it is to look honestly at this world and ourselves. Instead of making us arrogant and proud, the sheer vastness and power of the universe that God has created should humble us.

33:9 God creates ex nihilo; at His command everything stands. And through the same power He holds everything together (Colossians 1:16-17). Apart from the power of God the entire universe would cease to exist! “Nothing that man can attempt will come remotely near to this type of divine activity….’He commanded, and there it stood’. Who would not fear such a Lord?” (Leupold p. 274). In a very real sense, everyday, every non-believer is being confronted with the same sermon concerning the majesty and power of God (Psalm 19:1; Romans 1:20).

In very real sense, God is evangelizing every person on the planet, every day.

His Triumphant Will 33:10 “To speak of nature’s obedient glory is to be reminded of man’s blatant defiance” (Kidner p. 137). Here we see the power of God in history. In the history not only of Israel, but of every nation, God providentially hinders the wicked plans of wicked nations (Psalm 2:1-6). God frustrates the counsel of the heathen nations. “In their pride, the nations claim a false autonomy. They offer their worldly counsel (advice, wisdom) and they make their plans. But their plans and counsel are a passing show” (Williams p. 249). As in the case of Haman, his evil counsel to eradicate God’s people was not only thwarted, but was even used to destroy the schemer himself (Esther 7:10). God still rules in every nation. Let the believer take heart, God rules in Communist China, North Korea, Russia, Iran, Iraq and every other nation! (Daniel 5:21).

33:11 Human plans are temporary, but the will of God will prevail! (1 Peter 1:2325). Let us pity unbelievers, or those who are trying to fight against God, the Bible, and His standards, for they are fighting a losing battle. Pharaoh couldn’t keep Israel in bondage, the pagan nations couldn’t destroy Israel, Herod couldn’t kill the young Jesus, and even when evil men put Jesus to death, it only fulfilled God’s plan (Acts 2:23). In like manner, the world can’t stop the spread of the gospel or the growth of the church! (Acts 8:4; 2 Timothy 2:9) 33:12 The nation which submits to God is blessed! (Proverbs 14:34) In the New Testament, the Church is the spiritual nation whose God is the Lord! (1 Peter 2:5-9; Galatians 6:16).

His Discerning Gaze In the following series of verses, notice the repetition of the word “all”. This is important for its implied contrast to the narrow basis of human judgments, “with their local bias, their ignorance of what is in man, and their factual uncertainties” (Kidner p. 137). “Judgment and salvation now come into view, since God’s rule, for all its formidable power, is no tyranny. It is based on perfect knowledge (1315), perfect control (16), perfect love (18)” (p. 137).

33:13-14 God sees everyone. This is comforting to those who are trying to do the right thing (John 3:21), or, like a Cornelius, someone who is trying to find the truth (Acts 10:1ff). If God sees everyone, then God sees all the good and honest hearts in Beaverton, God sees the people who are looking for the truth, and God sees those who are dissatisfied with human religious doctrines and traditions.

This verse also implies that everyone is accountable to God (2 Cor. 5:10).

33:15 Since God created mankind, God perfectly understands the way that people think, plan, and scheme. God perfectly understands human motivation, human personalities, the role played by genetics and environment, etc…God has equal insight in the mind of every person who will ever live. The verse indicates that no one is born with strikes against them, or with an evil personality. Whatever genetics were are given at birth, whatever personality we are born with, is neutral and can be used for good or evil. God understands the thinking and reasoning of every personality type. Therefore, He must be able to write His will in such a way that every personality type could understand it alike.

“There is nothing that man does on the earth which could escape God’s notice.

That alone is so stupendous a thought that no man could grasp the full scope of it” (Leupold p. 276). Note, if what the Calvinists claim is true, i.e., the human heart is inherently sinful, then God would be the cause for such sinfulness.

33:16-17 God doesn’t save the self-confident, those who look to a king, or human strength, or some sort of military hardware, as the means for their

deliverance (see Psalm 20:7). God often warned the Israelites about putting their trust in material weaponry or human alliances and resources (Deut. 17:16).

All the military might in the world cannot save a nation that has turned from God, as Egypt, Babylon, Assyria, and Rome all testify in the pages of history.

Point To Note: “The church of the Lord in our day also needs to learn well this truth. Today’s church has begun to trust in material wealth, ornate and cavernous facilities, denominational practices, social programs, recreational activities, and preaching philosophy and psychology to build up the kingdom of Christ. This is like trusting in horses and material weapons (2 Corinthians 10:4)” (Southwest Lectures, p. 197). “History bears this out. Our God is in the business of breaking the pride of nations” (Williams p. 251). Man arrogantly thinks that he can create peace and safety without depending upon God. “Success is no dependent on brute force” (Gaebelein p. 280). “The nations depend on military power (and still do in our time). A king who readies himself for battle is interested in the number of his warriors and horses. Humanism is in essence a dependence on man—his abilities and the probabilities of his success. The nations on earth are known by the Lord for their planning and dependency on their military arsenal” (p. 280). America are you listing to this passage? Even now, in a corrupt world, force has not the last word.

33:18 While the eye of the Lord is upon the wicked and unrepentant for the purpose of judgment (John 3:36), God is watching over His people. Note, the righteous have a deep respect for God. Instead of worrying, complaining, giving up or fretting, they reverence Him. This fear is an expression of dependency and waiting. The godly know that God will deal with them in accordance with His promise of steadfast or unfailing love, and that He will deliver them, even in very difficult and hard circumstances. “Even the relentless scrutiny in verses 13-15 was an implied blessing in a world of injustice; here (for the godly) it is manifestly ‘quick-eyed love’, alert to danger, sensitive to need” (Kidner pp. 137-138).

Point To Note: But there is no such promise of mercy or protection to the unfaithful and the wicked. Too many unfaithful people today are trusting that God will just forgive them. But mercy is conditional and only those who have been trying to please God will receive it. The parable of the talents teaches that much (Matthew 25:14-30). Famine was a real threat for the people in Palestine (1 Kings 18:5; 2 Kings 8:1; Acts 11:28-30).

We Hope In Thee

33:20 “This is a hope in its surest form: patient (20), confident (20), buoyant (21), informed (21 ‘the name of God means His revealed character: see Exodus 34:5-7)” (Kidner p. 138). Note, patience is developed when we understand Who God is and we believe what God says about Himself. When I really believe that God is in control of any given situation, when I really believe that God loves me and that He cares about my life, then I can wait patiently and cheerfully for Him to act in what I firmly believe will be my best interest.

33:30 “Help and our shield”: We are putting all our eggs in God’s basket, there is no backup plan “if God doesn’t come through”. He is the only protection that we need. Is our hope and trust 100% in God, or is some of our trust in God and but some of it is also in our own man-made places of refuge? Do we feel safe as long as our health is good, the economy is good, the business or job is good, and the saving account looks good?

33:21 Trust requires submission to God, that is, a willingness to let God be God. We can have faith, patience, and hope when we really believe that God is all that He claims to be. Trusting in His “holy name”, means that we believe that He is indeed all powerful, all-knowing, ever-present, always doing what is in our best interest, will never allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to endure (1 Corinthians 10:13), and always tells us the truth, etc…

33:22 The faithful can always believe that God’s steadfast love and mercy will be upon them. This is that conviction that goodness and mercy will surely follow me all the days of my life (Psalm 23:6), and that everything works together for good to those who love God (Romans 8:28). Jude said, “keep yourselves in the love of God” (verse 21). Those who are faithfully serving God can expect to receive eternal life. No one who places their trust in God will be disappointed (1 Peter 2:8).