Psalms 33

Exhortation to the praise of God, by reason of his divine attributes, counsel, word and works, as of the creation, so of his Government, especially of men, to the frustrating of the practises of the wicked, and the preservation of his faithful ones, who do rejoice therein, and pray unto him for it.

1. Ye Righteous, sing cheerfully in the LORD; praise becommeth the upright. [Or, doth well beseem (agree well with) the upright.]

2. Praise the LORD with the harps, Sing Psalms unto him with the Lute, (and) the ten-springed Instrument. [These two letter ones are expressly distinguished, Psalms 92:4.]

3. Sing a new Hymn, (or Sing) unto him; [Which may never grow old, or out of request, but still renewed and kept in fresh memory, by reason of the new and fresh mercys, which God from time to time doth shew unto his people. Compare 1 John 2:7,8 and Job 29.on verse 20.] play well, with a cheerful noise. [Hebr. Make the playing, or striking (touching the Instruments) good, i.e. play well, decently and skilfully. Compare Deuter.5.on verse 28. Isaiah 23:16. Jerem.2.on ver.12.]

4. For the word of the LORD is right, [See Psalm 19.on verse 9.] and all his works are faithful, [Hebr. In faithfulness, or, truth, certainty, i.e. as his word is right, good and true, so all he doth is likewise sure and stedfast.]

5. He loveth righteousness and judgement: [Protecting the innocent, and punishing the guilty] the earth is full of the kindness of the LORD, [compare Mat.5.45. and 1 Tim.4.10.]

6. By the word of the LORD the heavens are made, [Understand the eternal, self-subsisting word of the Father. See Genesis 1.on verse 3.] and by the spirit of his mouth [understand this of the holy Ghost, that proceedeth from, and is sent by the Father, and the Son, being together with them, the Author of the creation of all things. Compare Gen.1.2. Job 26:13. and 33.4.] all their Hoste. [see Genesis 2.on verse 1.]

7. He gathereth the waters of the Sea, as on a heap: [i.e. having gathered them, he doth keep and maintain them together, as in a heap, that they shall not be able to hinder or let men from inhabiting the earth. See Gen.1.9. Job 38:8. Prov.8.29.] he appoints (or, placeth) the Abysses Treasury. [i.e. the great depths, or deep waters he lays up in the abstruse holes of the earth, even as treasures are laid up in hidden places. Compare Job 38:16. Prov.8.28.]

8. Let the whole earth [i.e. all the inhabitants of the Earth, as the sequel declareth] fear before the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world be terrified before him.

9. For he speaketh, and there it is: [i.e. when he speaketh, etc.as frequently] he commandeth, and there it standeth.

10. The LORD bringeth to naught the counsel of the heathen, he breaketh the thoughts of the Nations.

11. But the counsel of the LORD consisteth in eternity: the thoughts of his heart [Spoken of God after the manner of men, implying the counsel and will of God, mentioned before] from Generation to Generation. [Heb. Unto, or, in generation and generation.]

12. Right happy (Or, blessed) is the people, whose God is the LORD; [see Genesis 17.on verse 7.] the people which he hath chosen him for inheritance.

13. The LORD looketh out of heaven, and seeth all the children of men.

14. He seeth out of his strong habitation, upon all the inhabitants of the earth:

15. He formeth all their hearts; [Of one as well as of another, every one his in particular, Compare Num.16.22. Zachary.12.1. Hebrews 12:9. Others He alone doth form their heart. See of this signification of the Hebrew word, Ezek.4.on verse 3.] he observeth all their works.

16. A King is not preserved by a great host: [Heb. By the greatness, or, multitude of an host: so in the sequel, by the greatness, or, multitude of power] a champion is not rescued by great power.

17. The horse faileth of overcoming [Or, preservation or saving. See of the Hebrew word 2 Samuel 8.on verse 6. Faileth, Heb.(is) a ly, or falsehood, i.e. it deceiveth his master, who by it conceived to obtain the victory, or to escape and save himself, but it failed him. By the Horse (as a special help, and instruments of war) we are to understand likewise all other means, as helping nothing at all, and being of no use and service without the blessing of God] and doth not deliver by its great strength.

18. Lo, the LORDs eye [Compare 1 Kings 8.on verse 29. And above Psalm 32.on verse 8.] is over those, that fear him, upon those that hope in his kindness:

19. To rescue their souls [i.e. their lives] from the death, [i.e. from deadly or moral dangers.] and to keep them alive in the famine.

20. Our soul waiteth upon the LORD: he is our help and our shield.

21. For our heart doth rejoice in him, because that we trust in the Name of his holiness. [i.e. in his holy Name.]

22. Thy kindness, LORD, be over us: according as we hope on (or in) thee.