
Psalm 33
Psalm 33 offers a song of praise to God for His righteousness, power in creation, and sovereignty over nations. The psalm emphasizes God’s faithfulness and the blessings that come to those who trust in Him. It concludes with an invitation to rely on God's steadfast love and protection. This psalm encourages joyful worship, reflecting on God's care for His people and His control over all creation.
Psalm 33:1-10 (NKJV)
1 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous!
For praise from the upright is beautiful.
2 Praise the Lord with the harp;
Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings.
3 Sing to Him a new song;
Play skillfully with a shout of joy.
4 For the word of the Lord is right,
And all His work is done in truth.
5 He loves righteousness and justice;
The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,
And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.
7 He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap;
He lays up the deep 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 spoke, and it was done;
He commanded, and it stood fast.
10 The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect.
The psalm opens with a call for the righteous to rejoice in God, emphasizing that their praise is both beautiful and fitting. Worship includes music, joyful singing, and skilled playing on instruments. God’s Word is described as truthful and powerful, shaping both His works and the order of the world. Verses 6-9 reflect on God’s creative power, reminding readers that He made the heavens and earth by His word. The psalm invites reverence for God, as all creation stands in awe of Him. His authority over nations and human plans is absolute, showing His sovereignty over all.
Psalm 33:11-17 (NKJV)
11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
The plans of His heart to all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.
13 The Lord looks from heaven;
He sees all the sons of men.
14 From the place of His dwelling He looks
On all the inhabitants of the earth;
15 He fashions their hearts individually;
He considers all their works.
16 No king is saved by the multitude of an army;
A mighty man is not delivered by great strength.
17 A horse is a vain hope for safety;
Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength.
God’s counsel and plans remain unchanging throughout generations. The psalmist declares that a nation is blessed when it worships God and acknowledges Him as Lord. God is portrayed as observing all humanity from heaven, shaping each person’s heart and evaluating their deeds. The following verses highlight the futility of relying on military power or human strength. Salvation comes from God alone, and trusting in physical means, like horses or armies, offers no real security.
Psalm 33:18-22 (NKJV)
18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope in His mercy,
19 To deliver their soul from death,
And to keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waits 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 Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us,
Just as we hope in You.
The psalm concludes with reassurance that God watches over those who revere Him and rely on His mercy. His care extends to preserving them from death and sustaining them through difficulties, like famine. The psalmist expresses trust in God as a protector and source of joy. The final verses highlight the hope believers have in God’s mercy, calling on Him to be faithful as they continue to place their hope in Him.