Thursday, May 27, 2010

Psalm 33

Praise is beautiful (vs. 1-3)—The idea of praise runs through these first three verses. We have some synonymous parallelism here—the same idea being repeated over and over. Note: rejoice, praise (v. 1), praise, make melody (v. 2), sing, play skillfully (v. 3). They all express a concurrent theme. Instruments are mentioned (harp, instrument of ten strings), which some point to for authorization for the use of mechanical instruments in Christian worship today. But David lived under the old law, not the new. We don’t burn animal sacrifices today, as they did under the Law of Moses. It is even questionable whether David was right in introducing instruments into the worship of the old law. Study Amos 6:5 for more information (I have a lengthy discussion of this on my Minor Prophets blog).

Why this praise? The power of the word of God (vs. 4-12)—Verse 4 starts with the word “for” which indicates purpose. Why should give the Lord such magnificent praise? “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” (vs. 4-5). Several good reasons listed there, all based upon the authority and correctness of Jehovah’s word. He made all things by His word (not evolution, v. 6), and He sustains all the same way (v. 7; cf. Heb. 1:3). Fear Him and respect Him (v. 8), again based on the awesome power of His word: “For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast” (v. 9). It is an amazing thought to realize that, simply by speaking, God can create an entire universe. Actually, He could do it with a simple thought, but He chose to do it by speaking it into existence. Man’s word comes to nothing (v. 10)—it is very unwise to put our faith in humans, who might tell us one thing, but let us down the next moment—but the Lord’s counsel (word) stands forever (v. 11). Thus, “blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD” (v. 12). How tragic it is that such can no longer be said of the United States of America.

The sovereignty of God (vs. 13-19)—Jehovah’s dwelling place is in heaven, and He sees all of us from that august location (v. 13). Each of us are made differently, and the Lord “considers” all our works (v. 15). The word “considers” has the primary root of “discern,” or “understand.” He knows what we are thinking. Rebellion against God is fruitless; even the mightiest army is a vain thing before Him (vs. 16-17). The Lord looks for those “who fear Him,” and “who hope in His mercy” (v. 18), and He will “deliver their soul from death,” and “keep them alive in famine” (v. 19). The sovereign God knows His people and protects them.

Wait, rejoice, trust, hope (vs. 20-22)—Four great qualities of the godly are enumerated in these last verses. We wait on the Lord, who is “our help and our shield” (v. 20). Since we trust Him—He never fails us—our hearts “rejoice in Him” (v. 21), and He will be merciful to us, just as we have hoped that He will (v. 22). The centerpiece of this psalm is verses 6-9—the power and trustworthiness of the word of God. We can trust, hope, and rejoice in Him—and we should—because His word is secure.

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