33:2,3David, who some believe wrote this psalm, was an accomplished harpist (1 Samuel 16:15-23). His psalms frequently refer to musical instruments. He undoubtedly composed music for many of the psalms, and he commissioned musicians tor Temple worship (1 Chronicles 25).
Life Application Study BiblePsalmsChapter 33
Psalm 33
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 876, 877
33Psalm 33
1it is fitting for the pure to praise him.
2Praise the LORD with melodies on the lyre;make music for him on the ten-stringed harp.
3Sing a new song of praise to him,play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy.
4For the word of the LORD holds true,and we can trust everything he does.
5He loves whatever is just and good;the unfailing love of the LORD fills the earth.
6The LORD merely spoke,and the heavens were created.He breathed the word,and all the stars were born.
7He assigned the sea its boundariesand locked the oceans in vast reservoirs.
8Let the whole world fear the Lor,and let everyone stand in awe of him.
9For when he spoke, the world began!It appeared at his command.
10The LORD frustrates the plans of the nationsand thwarts all their schemes.
11But the LORD’s plans stand firm forever;his intentions can never be shaken.
12What joy for the nation whose God is the LORD,whose people he has chosen as his inheritance.
13The LORD looks down from heavenand sees the whole human race.
14From his throne he observesall who live on the earth.
15He made their hearts,so he understands everything they do.
16The best-equipped army cannot save a king,nor is great strength enough to save a warrior.
17Don’t count on your warhorse to give you victory—for all its strength, it cannot save you.
18But the LORD watches over those who fear him,those who rely on his unfailing love.
19He rescues them from deathand keeps them alive in times of famine.
20We put our hope in the LORD.He is our help and our shield.
21In him our hearts rejoice,for we trust in his holy name.
22Let your unfailing love surround us, LORD, for our hope is in you alone. Theme: God pays attention to those who call on him. Whether God offers escape from trouble or help in times of trouble, we can be certain that he always hears and acts on behalf of those who love him. Author: David, after pretending to be insane in order to escape from King Achish (1 Samuel 21:10-15) 3 * A psalm of David, regarding the time he pretended to be insane in front of Abimelech, who sent him away. 1 T will praise the LORD at all times.
Life Application Notes 6 notes
33:4All God’s words are true and trustworthy. The Bible is reliable because, unlike people, God does not lie, forget, change his words, or leave his promises unfulfilled. We can trust the Bible because it contains the words of a holy, trustworthy, and unchangeable God.
33:6-9This is a poetic summary of the first chapter of Genesis. God is not just the coordinator of natural forces; he is the LORD of creation, the almighty God. Because he is all-powerful, we should revere him in all we do.
33:11“The LORD’s plans stand firm forever.” Are you frustrated by inconsistencies you see in others or even in yourself? God is completely trustworthy—his intentions never change. The Bible promises that whatever is good and perfect comes to us from the Creator who never changes (James 1:17). When you wonder if there is anyone whom you can trust, remember that God is completely consistent. Let him counsel you.
33:16,17Warhorse refers to military strength. Because God rules and overrules every nation, leaders should never put their trust in their physical power. Military might is not the basis for our hope. Our hope is in God and in his gracious offer to save us if we will trust in him.
33:18,19This is not an ironclad guarantee that all believers will be delivered from death and starvation. Thousands of Christian saints have been beaten to death, whipped, fed to lions, or executed (Romans 8:35, 36; Hebrews 11:32-40). God can (and often does) miraculously deliver his followers from pain and death; although sometimes, for purposes known only to him, he chooses not to. When faced with these harsh realities, we must focus on the wise judgments of God. The writer was pleading for God’s watchful care and protection. In times of crisis, we can place our hope in God.