DAWN

     Explanation: Psalm 33 does not mention an author, nor does it give a distinct historical occasion for its composition. In the Psalm, an unnamed Psalmist, perhaps David, calls on his hearers to praise the LORD for his righteousness and justice which are exhibited in creation, against the machinations of the heathen, and in the lives of those who fear him. I've adopted the ten part structure for the Psalm suggested by the Keil & Delitzsch Commentary. This Psalm opens with words which are very similar to the closing words of the preceding Psalm (Psalm 32:11). Otherwise the Psalms seem to be unrelated. Today's image depicts musicians, a reference to the passages below which speak of singing and musical instruments.

          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: Psalm 32:11. ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: General. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). Psalm 33 - #1. Psalm 33 - #2. Psalm 33 - #3. Psalm 33 - #4. Psalm 33 - #5. ]

     The Psalm opens with a call to worship the LORD with the skillful use of singing and musical instruments (1-3). The LORD is worthy of such praise because his word and his works are right and true, because he loves righteousness and judgment, and because the earth is filled with his goodness (4-5). Moreover, his power deserves praise. By it he spoke the heavens and everything in them into existence; and by it he gathered the seas into one place. This refers to Genesis 1:9-10 where the LORD gathered the waters together and caused the dry land to appear (6-7). For such reasons everyone should fear Him and stand in awe of him, because he uttered a command and it was done, and it was established (8-9). But, by contrast, the counsel and the devices of the heathen have no effect. Only the counsel of the LORD stands forever (10-11). Therefore, the nation which has the LORD for their God -- the nation whom he has chosen as his inheritance -- is blessed. The LORD looks upon his people and upon all the inhabitants of the earth (12-13). He looks down from heaven upon them; he fashions their heart alike; he considers their works (14-15). Safety comes only from him. No king can be saved by a great army; no mighty man can be saved by his own strength; a horse cannot save its rider (16-17). Instead, deliverance comes form the LORD who keeps his eye is upon those who fear him and hope in his mercy. He will deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine (18-19). Upon hearing these things, the LORD's people respond in prayer, saying that their soul waits for the LORD because he is their help and shield. They know that they will rejoice in him because they trust in his holy name. They close with a plea to the LORD to let his mercy be upon them in accord with the hope which they have in him (20-22).
     [WORSHIP: Worship - #1. Worship - #2. Worship - #3. Worship - #4. Worship - #4. Worship - #5. ]

¹ Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous:
for praise is comely for the upright.
² Praise the LORD with harp:
sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.
³ Sing unto him a new song;
play skilfully with a loud noise.

⁴ For the word of the LORD is right;
and all his works are done in truth.
⁵ He loveth righteousness and judgment:
the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.

⁶ By the word of the LORD were the heavens made;
and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
⁷ He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap:
he layeth up the depth in storehouses.

⁸ Let all the earth fear the LORD:
let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
⁹ For he spake, and it was done;
he commanded, and it stood fast.

¹⁰ The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought:
he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.
¹¹ The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever,
the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

¹² Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD;
and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
¹³ The LORD looketh from heaven;
he beholdeth all the sons of men.

¹⁴ From the place of his habitation
he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
¹⁵ He fashioneth their hearts alike;
he considereth all their works.

¹⁶ There is no king saved by the multitude of an host:
a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
¹⁷ An horse is a vain thing for safety:
neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.

¹⁸ Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him,
upon them that hope in his mercy;
¹⁹ To deliver their soul from death,
and to keep them alive in famine.

²⁰ Our soul waiteth for the LORD:
he is our help and our shield.
²¹ For our heart shall rejoice in him,
because we have trusted in his holy name.
²² Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us,
according as we hope in thee.

* NOTE: On Opening and Closing Comments in the Psalms.
[Some commentators take the Psalm in Habakkuk 3 to be a standard model for the Psalms.
Habakkuk's Psalm begins with the name of the composer (Habakkuk) and a musical notation ("upon Shigionoth").
It closes with a dedication or a "send to" notice ("To the chief singer on my stringed instruments").
I have arranged similar material, where it is found in the Psalter, in accord with the model in Habakkuk.]