> [[psalm-32|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-34|Next →]] --- # Psalm 33 ## Praise of God’s Power and Providence ### I 1 Rejoice, you righteous, in the LORD; ^psalm-33-1 praise from the upright is fitting. 2 Give thanks to the LORD on the harp; ^psalm-33-2 on the ten-stringed lyre offer praise. 3 Sing to him a new song; ^psalm-33-3 skillfully play with joyful chant. 4 For the LORD’s word is upright; ^psalm-33-4 all his works are trustworthy. 5 He loves justice and right. ^psalm-33-5 The earth is full of the mercy of the LORD. ### II 6 By the LORD’s word the heavens were made; ^psalm-33-6 by the breath of his mouth all their host. 7 He gathered the waters of the sea as a mound; ^psalm-33-7 he sets the deep into storage vaults. ### III 8 Let all the earth fear the LORD; ^psalm-33-8 let all who dwell in the world show him reverence. 9 For he spoke, and it came to be, ^psalm-33-9 commanded, and it stood in place. 10 The LORD foils the plan of nations, ^psalm-33-10 frustrates the designs of peoples. 11 But the plan of the LORD stands forever, ^psalm-33-11 the designs of his heart through all generations. 12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, ^psalm-33-12 the people chosen as his inheritance. ### IV 13 From heaven the LORD looks down ^psalm-33-13 and observes the children of Adam, 14 From his dwelling place he surveys ^psalm-33-14 all who dwell on earth. 15 The One who fashioned together their hearts ^psalm-33-15 is the One who knows all their works. ### V 16 A king is not saved by a great army, ^psalm-33-16 nor a warrior delivered by great strength. 17 Useless is the horse for safety; ^psalm-33-17 despite its great strength, it cannot be saved. 18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon those who fear him, ^psalm-33-18 upon those who count on his mercy, 19 To deliver their soul from death, ^psalm-33-19 and to keep them alive through famine. ### VI 20 Our soul waits for the LORD, ^psalm-33-20 he is our help and shield. 21 For in him our hearts rejoice; ^psalm-33-21 in his holy name we trust. 22 May your mercy, LORD, be upon us; ^psalm-33-22 as we put our hope in you. \* (Psalm 33) A hymn in which the just are invited ([Ps 33:1] – [3]) to praise God, who by a mere word ([Ps 33:4] – [5]) created the three-tiered universe of the heavens, the cosmic waters, and the earth ([Ps 33:6] – [9]). Human words, in contrast, effect nothing ([Ps 33:10] – [11]). The greatness of human beings consists in God’s choosing them as a special people and their faithful response ([Ps 33:12] – [22]). \* (33:6) All their host: the stars of the sky are commonly viewed as a vast army, e.g., [Neh 9:6]; [Is 40:26]; [45:12]; [Jer 33:22]. \* (33:7) The waters…as a mound: ancients sometimes attributed the power keeping the seas from overwhelming land to a primordial victory of the storm-god over personified Sea. a. (33:1) [Ps 32:11]; [147:1]. b. (33:2) [Ps 92:4]; [144:9]. c. (33:5) [Ps 119:64]. d. (33:6) [Gn 2:1]. e. (33:7) [Ps 78:13]; [Gn 1:9] – [10]; ([[exodus-15|Ex 15]]:8]; [Jos 3:16]. f. (33:9) [Ps 148:5]; [Gn 1:3f]; [[judith-16|Jdt 16]]:14. g. (33:11) [Prv 19:21]; [Is 40:8]. h. (33:12) [Ps 144:15]; ([[exodus-19|Ex 19]]:6]; [Dt 7:6]. i. (33:13) [Jb 34:21]; [[sirach-15|Sir 15]]:19; [Jer 16:17]; [32:19]. j. (33:20) [Ps 115:9]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[psalm-32|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-34|Next →]]