Psalm 33

1 Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful. 2 Praise the LORD with the harp; make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings. 3 Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy. 4 For the word of the LORD is right, and all His work is done in truth. 5 He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. 6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. 7 He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap; He lays up the deep 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 spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast. 10 The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. 11 The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations. 12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance. 13 The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. 14 From the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth; 15 He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works. 16 No king is saved by the multitude of an army; a mighty man is not delivered by great strength. 17 A horse is a vain hope for safety; neither shall it deliver any by its great strength. 18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy, 19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. 20 Our soul waits 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 Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, just as we hope in You.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

1. Read verses 1-3. What does this psalm say about worshipping the LORD? What type of instruments are mentioned for use in praise? What kind of song was to be used in praise?

2. Who is to be worshipped and praised? What does the word “LORD” indicate?

3. Read verses 4-5. Why were God’s people to worship the LORD? Cf. Psalm 96.

4. Read verse 6. How were the hosts of heaven created? How are they sustained? Cf. Genesis 1:14-19; Nehemiah 9:6; Hebrews 1:1-3.

5. What is described in verse 7? Cf. Genesis 1:9-10.

6. Read verses 8-9. What does the psalm here enjoin? Why? Do the people of this world do so? Why or why not?

7. Read verses 10-11. What does the psalmist say about the plans of men and nations? About God’s plans? How long do God’s plans continue to be carried out and fulfilled? What is His desire and plan for us? Cf. Ezekiel 33:11; 2 Peter 3:9; Luke 24:46-47.

8. Read verse 12. Which nation and people are blessed of the LORD? Is it of their own will or choosing, or of the LORD’s mercy? Cf. John 1:12-13; 2 Tim. 1:9.

9. Read verses 13-15. Who made our hearts and sees all that we think and do? Is anything hidden from the eyes of the LORD? Cf. Psalm 139:1-16.

10. Read verses 16-19. Are kings (presidents and rulers) and nations saved by their great armies and military might? Will great strength or human weapons save us? Who does the LORD look upon and save in the day of trouble? How alone can we be spared in the day of judgment? Cf. Acts 4:12; John 14:6; John 3:18,36.

11. Read verses 20-21. In whom do we place our hope? Why? Cf. Psalm 130:7-8.

12. Read verse 22. For what does the psalmist pray? For what should we pray?

Look at LSB Hymns No. 816 and 717. How do these hymns echo the message of this psalm?