Seventh-day Adventist Bible CommentaryPsalms 33

Rejoice. Heb. ranan, “to give a ringing cry in joy.” Verses 1–3 form the introduction to the psalm and are an invitation to the righteous to praise Jehovah with musical instruments. Comely. Heb. na’wah, “fitting,” “seemly.” The grace of gratitude befits the just.

Harp. Heb. kinnor, literally, “lyre” (see p. 34). Psaltery. Heb. nebel, an instrument like the harp (see p. 33). The word “and” does not occur in the Hebrew text. It is more natural to translate the phrase, “with a harp of ten strings.” Only the best is good enough for the worship of Jehovah. For a general discussion of instruments used in the ancient Temple service see pp. 29–42.

A new song. New favors demand fresh appreciation and new hymns of praise (see Ps. 40:3; 96:1). We should not be confined always to the use of that which has been used continually. Changed circumstances require appropriate and timely expression in words of prayer and praise.

The Lord is right. Verses 4–21 state the reasons for praising Jehovah. Among these reasons is the fact that Jehovah is righteous and merciful (vs. 4, 5, 18; see Ps. 25:10; 26:3; 36:5, 6).

By the word. The second reason for praise (see on v. 4) is that Jehovah created all things. Jesus is declared to be the “Word” (John 1:1), who made “all things” (John 1:3). Host of them. The heavenly bodies, as indicated by the parallel structure of the verse.

Ellen G. White

Heap. Heb. ned, the word used to describe the waters in Ex. 15:8 and Joshua 3:13– 16 in the narrative of the crossing of the Red Sea and of the Jordan. Some translators regard ned as a shorter form of no’d, “skin-bottle” (see RSV). No’d appears in the sentence, “Put thou my tears into thy bottle” (Ps. 56:8). This interpretation is supported by several ancient versions. In storehouses. Compare Job 38:8–11; Jer. 5:22.

He spake, and it was done. Or simply, “he spake, and it was,” the word “done” being supplied; or perhaps better, “he spake, and it became.” “He” is emphatic, as is indicated in the Hebrew by the use of the pronoun; God is set forth as Creator, in sharp contrast with any god that might claim creative ability. The sublimity of the language used to describe the creative acts of God is unsurpassed in literature (see Gen. 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26). Stood fast. Or, “stood forth,” or simply “stood,” heightening the sublime simplicity of the synonymous parallelism of this verse (see p. 622).

The Lord bringeth. The third reason for praise (see on vs. 4, 6) is that Jehovah is sovereign (vs. 10, 11).

Standeth for ever. Note the contrast between the phrases of vs. 10, 11: “counsel of the heathen,” “counsel of the Lord”; “devices of the people,” “thoughts of his heart.”

Blessed. See on Ps. 1:1. This verse anticipates vs. 18–20, introducing the idea of God’s special relationship to Israel.

Looketh from heaven. See on Ps. 11:4. The fourth reason for praise (see on vs. 4, 6, 10) is that Jehovah is omnipresent and omniscient. All the sons. Jehovah is the God of all men, although all men may not recognize their allegiance to Him (see Matt. 5:45).

Ellen G. White

Alike. Heb. yachad, “the entire number.” The meaning is that God fashions the hearts of all men, not that the hearts are fashioned in the same manner. The word for “fashion,” yaṣar, is used to describe the creation of man and beast (Gen. 2:7, 8, 19). It is used also of the prenatal development of man (Jer. 1:5; cf. Isa. 44:2). Hence the psalmist may here refer to the creation of the human mind. Or he may have meant the subsequent influencing and molding of human thought.

No king saved. The fifth reason for praise (see on vs. 4, 6, 10, 13) is that Jehovah is omnipotent. By employing references to the relative impotence of rulers, strong men, and cavalry, the psalmist implies that Jehovah alone is omnipotent. This is an extraordinary poetic device, its implied meaning being discernible only to the attentive reader.

The eye of the Lord. See on Ps. 32:8. The sixth reason for praise (see on vs. 4, 6, 10, 13, 16) is that Jehovah can be depended on to protect His chosen people.

Famine. The inhabitants of Palestine were frequently exposed to famine.

Waiteth. See on Ps. 27:14.

Heart. See Ps. 13:5. Name. See on Ps. 7:17.

According as we hope. A plaintive closing appeal that Israel may speedily realize the fulfillment of her hopes and enjoy evidence of Jehovah’s tender consideration. Jacob gave Israel a lesson of hope and trustful waiting in the midst of the last words uttered on his deathbed (see Gen. 49:18).