Notes on the Book of Psalms, Psalm 33
The xxxiii. PSALM.
In this Psalm the Godly are incited exceedingly to praise the Lord, because of their faithful experience of his word and works, his holy nature, goodness, and power, manifested all the world over, for which all men also ought to reverence him. But principally his people Israel whose happiness he hath decreed, and will bring to pass maugre all opposition of contrarie counsels and attempts; in case they walk with him and hope in him, he will be with them. He underrates for Israel (in the name of all the faithful) that they will and do effectually hope in the Lord, and promiseth in so doing, they shall speed accordingly, and lastly prayes it may be so.Psalm xxxiii.
1 O all ye chosen Israel, who are or should be Saints and servants of the Lord,1REjoyce in the Lord, O ye righteous, for praise is comely for the upright. rejoyce, and be exceeding glad all those that are so, in that you have him for your portion, and truly better and more seemly service they cannot do him that are partakers of his grace and spirit, than to render him praise for his love and benefits towards them.
2 Never think you can give too many or too much praise to God,2Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto him with the psalterie, and an instrument of ten strings. but learn to be skilful in it, and every way in the very best manner, and with the most raised affections look you perform it to him, that so highly deserves it at your hands.
3 As he vouchsafes new mercies,3Sing unto him a new song, play skilfully with a loud noise. so still do you indite new praises to him with thankful hearts, set all your skill and might on work to magnifie him.
4 For the word of promise which he hath made to the righteous is firm to be trusted,4For the word of the Lord is right: and all his works are done in truth. and will not deceive the believing soul, but is and ever shall be true to him, and all his works of power and providence towards them, and against their enemies are the fruits of his mercy and faithfulness.
5 The Lord is righteous and holy,5He loveth righteousness and judgement: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. hates the wayes of the world, injury and oppression; and contrarily loves justice and equity, and such as practise them; he is bountiful also, and out of his goodness fills the earth with abundance of good things for the use of man.
6 And as his goodness,6By the word of the Lord we…e the heavens made: and all the host of them, by the breath of his mouth. so his power wonderfully appears in the world, for at his meer command, the heavens and all those lightsome glorious ornaments therein were made, and other way of Being they had none, saving his command to Be.
7He gathereth the waters of the sea together, as an heap: he layeth up the depth in store houses.7 And as the heavens above, so the earth beneath sheweth his infinite power, for thereto hath he given a surface above the waters, which he hath (notwithstanding they were once uppermost, and would be so again) confined to their concave, or the pit he digged for them; for all their fluid and spreading nature, there he keeps them safe from breaking out, and overwhelming the earth again.
8Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.8 And as the faithfully righteous have cause to praise the Lord for his word and works, as being happy in him for their God, that is of such power and truth: so also from that light and power which is imparted to them out of the creation, should all the world, one and other submit to his authority, and know it to be their duty to honour and obey him, reverencing his commandments, and fearing his powerfull judgements.
9For he spake and it was done, he commanded and it stood fast.9 For all things that they see how great and wonderfull soever, above and beneath them, were made meerly by his f…at or word of command; yea, the great and weighty globe of the earth was established for ever by its sole and onelyonly center, without any other prop or pillar through the Almighty command of God for it so to be.
10The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.10 And the Lord is as wise as powerfull, defeating in his peoples behalf all the machinations that their enemies device against them; frustrating and making ineffectual all the plots of the Gentils round about, against his chosen.
11The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.11 For the gracious purposes of the Almighty towards his shall stand good, spite of all opposing power and policy; yea, they shall never be frustrated, but ever be effectual and succesfull in the behalf of those that trust in him, to the worlds end.
12 O therefore blessed are we above all the world,12Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. who have the knowledge and worship of the true God, and so have him in a special manner gracious to us, and Lord over us. Yea, happy are the people whom he hath picked out from amongst all people unto the adoption of sons and servants, as we are.
13 This God,13The Lord looketh from heaven: he beholdeth all the sons of men. who is our God, is in heaven, and from thence he beholds and governs all men, and all their actions.
14 Yea,14From the place of his habitation, he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. from heaven the place of his most glorious and special residence doth he all-knowingly see and dispose of all men, and all things here below.
15 The Lord knows all men within and without,15He fashioneth their hearts alike: he considereth all their works. for he made all, and therefore knows all, no man made himself, but he alike made all as any, and therefore knows all as well as any, even the subtilest and wisest devices of the deepest politicians he is privy to, and considers the events, ordering them after his mind, and not after theirs.
16 So that be mans confidence never so great,16There is no King saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. though he be a King and have never such authority, and power, or if for bodily strength he be equal to a Giant, yet can it neither conquer, nor keep himself from being conquered, if God be not purposed to favour him.
17 If God help not,17An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. nothing can, an Horse which men trust much in, be he never so swift or strong, will deceive; and can neither safeguard his rider, nor harm his opposer if God forbid it.
18Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him: upon them that hope in his mercy.18 The gracious favour and good providence of God is worth all, which they are sure of that in fear obey him, and by faith trust in his goodness and mercy, over whom he keeps a carefull and watchful eye.
19To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.19 To deliver them from the deadly plots of their enemies, and other dangerous perils, and to sustain and provide for them in times of scarcity and want, when he lets other men starve.
20Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield.20 We therefore that are the Lords people ought, (and I hope we do) with one heart and mind, faithfully and affectionately seek to him and trust in him, as our onelyonly preserver and defendor, as do and ever will the faithful.
21For our heart shall rejoyce in him: because we have trusted in his holy name.21 And this we may be sure of, that we shall find him faithfull, he will not fail us but we shall have cause of joy and thanksgiving in the manifestation of his grace and favour to us; if so be that we fail not to put our trust stedfastly in his power and goodness, which for his holiness sake can never deceive them that trust therein, as do the faithful.
22Let thy mercy (O Lord) be upon us, according as we hope in thee.22 Let, Lord, accordingly thy merciful loving-kindness and gratious providence be for ever vouchsafed unto thy people who make thee their stay and strength alone.