INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 33 Though this psalm has no title to it, it seems to be a psalm of David, from the style and matter of it; and indeed begins with the same words with which the preceding psalm is ended. Theodoret is of opinion it was written by David as a prophecy concerning Hezekiah, as a son... [ Continue Reading ]
REJOICE IN THE LORD, O YE RIGHTEOUS,.... Psalms 32:11; [FOR] PRAISE IS COMELY FOR THE UPRIGHT; it becomes them; it is their duty; they are bound unto it by the mercies and favours they have received; should they not give praise to God, the stones of the wall would cry out, and rebuke them for thei... [ Continue Reading ]
PRAISE THE LORD WITH HARP,.... An instrument David was well skilled in the use of, the inventor of which was Jubal, Genesis 4:21; SING UNTO, HIM WITH THE PSALTERY; the name of this instrument is in the Hebrew language "nebel": the account which Josephus w gives of this, and of the former, is, "the... [ Continue Reading ]
SING UNTO HIM A NEW SONG,.... One newly composed on account of recent mercies received; and as the mercies of God are new every morning, there ought to be a daily song of praise to him; and so a new song is a continual song, as Christ is called the "new and living way", Hebrews 10:20; because he is... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE WORD OF THE LORD [IS] RIGHT,.... The revealed word of God: the law of God is right; its precepts are holy, just, and good; its sanction or penalty is righteous; it is impartial unto all; it is just in condemning the wicked, and in acquitting believers on the account of Christ's perfect right... [ Continue Reading ]
HE LOVETH RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JUDGMENT,.... Or "righteous judgment" y; he delights in the administration of it himself, Jeremiah 9:24; and he is well pleased with acts of righteousness done by others, when done according to his word, from love to him, by faith in him, and with a view to his glory; esp... [ Continue Reading ]
BY THE WORD OF THE LORD WERE THE HEAVENS MADE,.... The aerial and starry heavens, and the heaven of heavens, the third heaven, the seat of the divine Majesty, and the habitation of angels and glorified saints; these were "made" even out of nothing, not out of any pre-existent matter, nor were they e... [ Continue Reading ]
HE GATHERETH THE WATERS OF THE SEA TOGETHER AS AN HEAP,.... Which was done on the third day of the creation, by means of which the dry land appeared, Genesis 1:9; when the waters of the sea were piled up as an heap, and stood higher than the earth, as they now do; and which is a wonderful instance o... [ Continue Reading ]
LET ALL THE EARTH FEAR THE LORD,.... That is, all the men that dwell upon the face of the earth. As it follows, LET ALL THE INHABITANTS OF THE WORLD STAND IN AWE OF HIM; which fear and awe design a reverence of the divine Majesty, whose divine perfections are so manifest in the works of creation; a... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HE SPAKE, AND IT WAS [DONE],.... Or "it was" a, it came into being by a word speaking, almighty power going along with it; see Genesis 1:3; HE COMMANDED, AND IT STOOD FAST; every created thing continued in its being; not only all things were produced into being by his all commanding word and po... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD BRINGETH THE COUNSEL OF THE HEATHEN TO NOUGHT,.... The psalmist having taken notice of the works of creation, in order to excite the saints to praise, proceeds to observe the providence of God, and particularly that branch of it which lies in disappointing the designs of wicked men; it is w... [ Continue Reading ]
THE COUNSEL OF THE LORD STANDETH FOR EVER,.... By which are meant, not the doctrines of the Gospel, nor the ordinances of it; though these will stand firm, and remain to the end of the world; but the purposes and decrees of God, which are wisely formed in himself, are eternal and unfrustrable, and r... [ Continue Reading ]
BLESSED [IS] THE NATION WHOSE GOD [IS] THE LORD,.... Who have an interest in such a wonder working God, both in creation and in providence, and especially in grace: which, though it may have a principal regard to the nation of Israel, whose God he was in a very distinguishing manner, yet must not be... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD LOOKETH FROM HEAVEN,.... Where his throne and temple are, upon the earth and men, and things in it, as follows; HE BEHOLDETH ALL THE SONS OF MEN; the evil and the good; which is contrary to the sense of many wicked men, who imagine he takes no notice of what is done here below; but his eye... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM THE PLACE OF HIS HABITATION,.... Which is heaven, that is, the habitation of his holiness, and of his glory, Isaiah 63:15; HE LOOKETH UPON ALL THE INHABITANTS OF THE EARTH; good and bad; and not the nation of Israel only, but the Gentile world, whom in former times he overlooked, but under the... [ Continue Reading ]
HE FASHIONETH THEIR HEARTS ALIKE,.... The Lord is the former and fashioner of the heart, spirit, or soul of man, even of all hearts and spirits; whence he is called the Father of spirits, Hebrews 12:9; see Zechariah 12:1; and he is the former of them alike; which seems to intimate as if all seals w... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE IS NO KING SAVED BY THE MULTITUDE OF AN HOST,.... He may be at the head of a numerous army, and yet not get the victory over a lesser one, nor escape safe, but be taken by it: there have been such instances; and if he is saved, or gets the victory, it is not owing to the multitude with him, bu... [ Continue Reading ]
A HORSE [IS] A VAIN THING FOR SAFETY,.... Though it is prepared for the day of battle, and is a very warlike creature, and of great service in war, yet safety only is of the Lord, Proverbs 21:31; this is put for all kinds of military preparations which men are apt to trust in, but should not, for th... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, THE EYE OF THE LORD [IS] UPON THEM THAT FEAR HIM,.... Not with dread of his wrath, or distrust of his grace, or for sinister ends and selfish views, but with a godly fear; by which men hate evil, depart from it, are careful not to offend God by it, but to serve and worship him; on such is no... [ Continue Reading ]
TO DELIVER THEIR SOUL FROM DEATH,.... Not a corporeal death, for the soul dies not, and is never in any danger of death; and should life, or the whole man, be intended here, yet those that fear the Lord, and hope in his mercy, are not exempted and secured from a corporeal death, but die as other men... [ Continue Reading ]
OUR SOUL WAITETH FOR THE LORD,.... This, and what follows, are the words of the church, expressing her expectation, faith, and joy, by reason of what is suggested in the preceding verses. She signifies her expectation of good by waiting for the Lord; either for his coming in the flesh, and salvation... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR OUR HEART SHALL REJOICE IN HIM,.... Not in sin, nor in themselves and in their boastings, all such rejoicing is evil; but in the Lord, "in his Word"; as the Targum is, in the essential Word of God, Christ Jesus; in his person, righteousness, and salvation; and this joy is heart joy, inward joy,... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THY MERCY, O LORD, BE UPON US,.... That is, an application of it in its effects: it is a prayer for a communication of grace and mercy to help in a time of need; and for a discovery of pardoning grace and mercy; and it is a prayer of faith; for the mercy of the Lord is upon his people in great p... [ Continue Reading ]