Psalms 33

Ps 33:1-22.

A call to lively and joyous praise to God for His glorious attributes

and works, as displayed in creation, and His general and special

providence, in view of which, the Psalmist, for all the pious,

professes trust and joy and invokes God's mercy.

1-3. The sentiment falls in with

Ps 32:11

(compare

1Co 14:15).

The instruments

(Ps 92:3; 144:9)

do not exclude the voice.

3. a new song--fresh, adapted to the occasion

(Ps 40:3; 96:1).

play skilfully--(Compare

1Sa 16:17).

4-9. Reasons for praise: first, God's truth, faithfulness, and

mercy, generally; then, His creative power which all must honor.

6. In "word" and "breath"--or, "spirit," there may be an allusion to

the Son

(Joh 1:1)

and Holy Spirit.

9. he spake--literally, "said."

it was--The addition of "done" weakens the sense (compare

Ge 1:3-10).

10, 11. In God's providence He thwarts men's purposes and executes

His own.

heathen--literally, "nations."

12-19. The inference from the foregoing in

Ps 33:12

is illustrated by God's special providence, underlying which is His

minute knowledge of all men.

13. looketh--intently

(Isa 14:16).

15. fashioneth--or, "forms," and hence knows and controls

(Pr 21:1).

alike--without exception.

considereth--or, "understands"; God knows men's motives.

16, 17. Men's usual reliances in their greatest exigencies are, in

themselves, useless.

17. On the war horse (compare

Job 39:19-25).

a vain thing--a lie, which deceives us.

18, 19. Contrasted is God's guidance and power to save from the

greatest earthly evil and its most painful precursor, and hence from

all.

20-22. waiteth--in earnest expectation.

21. his holy name--(Compare

Ps 5:12; 22:22; 30:4).

Our faith measures mercy

(Mt 9:29);

and if of grace, it is no more of debt

(Ro 11:6).