Psalm 33

[Al Moak]

Psalm 33

This is a family song, a song to be sung by the people – the faimily - of God, the family whose God would have them address Him as Father.  It's a song about His awesome creation and also about His faithfulness among the peoples of the earth.  Finally, it's a song of praise, sung by those who know Him and are glad to be reminded of Him and of His works as they come early in the morning to the temple on Mount Zion.

At the beginning of the song the people turn to one another and sing, "Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous!  For praise from the upright is beautiful." They also urge the instrumentalists to play mightily for God in response to their praise.

Then, in the next two verses, they turn and sing high praise directly to the Lord Himself.  They do it simply by expressing all their experience of Him, all they know and love about their wonderful God.  They sing, "For the word of the Lord is right, and all His work is done in truth.  He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord!"

They sing of a God Who made everything there is by His mere word, and of a God before Whom all peoples should stand in awe, since He is their mighty Creator and Lord.  He's a God before Whom the plans made by even the mightiest nations are as nothing, but a God Whose own plans stand forever.  At the same time, though, He's a very personal God - all Who love Him are truly blessed.

He's such a great God, in fact, that He knows every action and even the thoughts of the hearts of every person in the world!  No one succeeds in this world by means of great armies, great strength, or mighty weapons, but instead "the eye (of love) of the Lord is on those who fear Him" - on those who recognize that He's LORD of all - and on those who hope in His mercy.  He will deliver them in every situation.

Finally, in the last stanza, the family of those who love and fear Jehovah all join together to declare their faith and love.  Together they sing, "Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.  For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy Name." Then they all sing the family prayer, saying, "Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, just as we hope in You!"

Are you part of the family?  Do you sometimes simply rejoice to stand with the other people of God to praise Him?  Do you rejoice to be reminded of His sovereignty and faithfulness? 

[Marilyn]

Yes, Yes, and Amen