KJV

KJV

Click to Change

Return to Top

Return to Top

Printer Icon

Print

Prior Book Prior Chapter Back to Commentaries Author Bio & Contents Next Chapter Next Book
The Blue Letter Bible

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown :: Commentary on Psalm 33

toggle collapse
Choose a new font size and typeface

The Book of Psalms

Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET

PSALM 33

Psa 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 Psa 32:11 (compare 1Cr 14:15 ). The instruments ( Psa 92:3 144:9 ) do not exclude the voice.

      3. a new song--fresh, adapted to the occasion ( Psa 40:3 96:1 ).
      play skilfully--(Compare Psa 15:1-5 16:1-11 21:1-13 ).

      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 ( Jhn 1:1 ) and Holy Spirit.

      9. he spake--literally, "said."
      it was--The addition of "done" weakens the sense (compare Gen 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 Psa 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 ( Pro 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 Psa 5:12 22:22 30:4 ). Our faith measures mercy ( Mat 9:29 ); and if of grace, it is no more of debt ( Rom 11:6 ).

Introduction to Job ← Prior Book
Introduction to Proverbs Next Book →
Commentary on Psalm 32 ← Prior Chapter
Commentary on Psalm 34 Next Chapter →
BLB Searches
Search the Bible
KJV
 [?]

Advanced Options

Other Searches

Multi-Verse Retrieval
x
KJV

Daily Devotionals
x

Blue Letter Bible offers several daily devotional readings in order to help you refocus on Christ and the Gospel of His peace and righteousness.

Daily Bible Reading Plans
x

Recognizing the value of consistent reflection upon the Word of God in order to refocus one's mind and heart upon Christ and His Gospel of peace, we provide several reading plans designed to cover the entire Bible in a year.

One-Year Plans

Two-Year Plan

CONTENT DISCLAIMER:

The Blue Letter Bible ministry and the BLB Institute hold to the historical, conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy of Scripture. Since the text and audio content provided by BLB represent a range of evangelical traditions, all of the ideas and principles conveyed in the resource materials are not necessarily affirmed, in total, by this ministry.