Psalms 33
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
A call to lively and joyous praise to God for His glorious attributes and works, as displayed in creation, and His general and special providence, in view of which, the Psalmist, for all the pious, professes trust and joy and invokes God's mercy. (Psa. 33:1-22) The sentiment falls in with Psa 32:11 (compare Co1 14:15). The instruments (Psa 92:3; Psa 144:9) do not exclude the voice.
Open source ↗Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous,.... See Gill on Psa 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 their ingratitude: it is beautiful, and looks lovely in them; it is an ornament to them, and is, in the sight of God, of great esteem: it is very acceptable to him, and when grace is in exercise, and their hearts in tune, being sensibly touched and impressed with the goodness of God, it is desirable by them, and is pleasant and delightful to them.
Open source ↗The call contained in this hexastich is addressed to the righteous and upright, who earnestly seek to live a godly and God-pleasing life, and the sole determining rule of whose conduct is the will and good pleasure of God. These alone know God, whose true nature finds in them a clear mirror; so on their part they are joyfully to confess what they possess in Him. For it is their duty, and at the same time their honour, to praise him, and make their boast in Him. נאוה is the feminine of the adjective נאוה (formed out of נאוי), as in Psa 147:1, cf. Pro 19:10. On כּנּור (lxx κιθάρα, κινύρα) and נבל (lxx ψαλτήριον, νάβλα, ναῦλα, etc.) vid., Introduction @a7II. נבל is the name given to the harp or lyre on account of its resemblance to a skin bottle or flash (root נב, to swell, to be distended), and נבל עשׂור, "harp of the decade,"' is the ten-stringed harp, which is also called absolutely עשׂור, and distinguished from the customary נבל, in Psa 92:4. By a comparison of the asyndeton expressions in Psa 35:14, Jer 11:19, Aben-Ezra understands by נבל עשור two instruments, contrary to the tenour of the words. Gecatilia, whom he controverts, is only so far in error as that he refers the ten to holes (נקבים) instead of to strings. The בּ is Beth instrum., just like the expression κιθαρίζειν ἐν κιθάραις, Rev 14:2. A "new song" is one which, in consequence of some new mighty deeds of God, comes from a new impulse of gratitude in the heart, Psa 40:4, and frequently in the Psalms, Isa 42:10, Judith 6:13, Rev 5:9. In היטיבוּ the notions of scite and strenue, suaviter and naviter, blend. With בּתרוּעה, referring back to רננו, the call to praise forms, as it were, a circle as it closes.
Open source ↗Four things the psalmist expresses in these verses: I. The great desire he had that God might be praised. He did not think he did it so well himself, but that he wished others also might be employed in this work; the more the better, in this concert: it is the more like heaven. 1. Holy joy is the heart and soul of praise, and that is here pressed upon all good people (Psa 33:1): Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous; so the foregoing psalm concluded and so this begins; for all our religious exercises should both begin and end with a holy complacency and triumph in God as the best of being and best of friends. 2. Thankful praise is the breath and language of holy joy; and that also is here required of us (Psa 33:2): "Praise the Lord; speak well of him, and give him the glory due to his name." 3. Religious songs are the proper expressions of thankful praise; those are here required (Psa 33:3): "Sing unto him a new song, the best you have, not that which by frequent use is worn, thread-bare, but that which, being new, is most likely to move the affections, a new song for new mercies and upon every new occasion, for those compassions which are new every morning." Music was then used, by the appointment of David, with the temple-songs, that they might be the better sung; and this also is here called for (Psa 33:2): Sing unto him with the psaltery. Here is, (1.) A good rule for this duty: "Do it skilfully, and with a loud noise; let it have the best both of head and heart; let it be done intelligently and with a clear head, affectionately and with a warm heart." (2.) A good reason for this duty: For praise is comely for the upright. It is well pleasing to God (the garments of praise add much to the comeliness which God puts upon his people) and it is an excellent ornament to our…
Open source ↗Ps 33 This hymn of creation (see also Pss 8, 19, 104, 145) might be a continuation of Ps 32. It exhorts readers to praise God (33:1-3), to recognize the power of his word in creation (33:4-7), and to fear the Creator (33:8-11). It offers hope to forgiven sinners (Ps 32) that they can live a new life in the fear of the Lord and under divine protection. 33:1-3 The psalmist exhorts the godly to praise the Lord with melodies, with a new song, and with skillfully-played music.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
רָנַן (rânan, H7442) — properly, to creak (or emit a stridulous sound), i.e. to shout (usually for joy) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צַדִּיק (tsaddîyq, H6662) — just תְּהִלָּה (tᵉhillâh, H8416) — laudation; specifically (concretely) a hymn נָאוֶה (nâʼveh, H5000) — suitable, or beautiful יָשָׁר (yâshâr, H3477) — straight (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗יָדָה (yâdâh, H3034) — physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God כִּנּוֹר (kinnôwr, H3658) — a harp זָמַר (zâmar, H2167) — play upon it; to make music, accompanied by the voice; hence to celebrate in song and… נֶבֶל (nebel, H5035) — a skin-bag for liquids (from collapsing when empty); hence, a vase (as similar in shape… עָשׂוֹר (ʻâsôwr, H6218) — ten; by abbreviated form ten strings, and so a decachord
Open source ↗שִׁיר (shîyr, H7891) — to sing חָדָשׁ (châdâsh, H2319) — new שִׁיר (shîyr, H7892) — a song; abstractly, singing נָגַן (nâgan, H5059) — properly, to thrum, i.e. beat atune with the fingers; expectation. to play on astringed… יָטַב (yâṭab, H3190) — to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy,… תְּרוּעָה (tᵉrûwʻâh, H8643) — clamor, i.e. acclamation of joy or a battle-cry; especially clangorof trumpets, as an…
Open source ↗דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָשָׁר (yâshâr, H3477) — straight (literally or figuratively) מַעֲשֶׂה (maʻăseh, H4639) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication,… אֱמוּנָה (ʼĕmûwnâh, H530) — literally firmness; figuratively security; morally fidelity
Open source ↗אָהַב (ʼâhab, H157) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise) צְדָקָה (tsᵉdâqâh, H6666) — rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue)… מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) מָלֵא (mâlêʼ, H4390) — to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively) חֵסֵד (chêçêd, H2617) — kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);…
Open source ↗כָּנַס (kânaç, H3664) — to collect; hence, to enfold מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the… נֵד (nêd, H5067) — a mound, i.e. wave נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) תְּהוֹם (tᵉhôwm, H8415) — an abyss (as a surging mass of water), especially the deep (the main sea or the… אוֹצָר (ʼôwtsâr, H214) — a depository
Open source ↗אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… תֵּבֵל (têbêl, H8398) — the earth (as moist and therefore inhabited); by extension, the globe; by implication,… גּוּר (gûwr, H1481) — properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e. sojourn…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God פּוּר (pûwr, H6331) — to crush עֵצָה (ʻêtsâh, H6098) — advice; by implication, plan; also prudence גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… נוּא (nûwʼ, H5106) — to refuse, forbid, dissuade, or neutralize מַחֲשָׁבָה (machăshâbâh, H4284) — a contrivance, i.e. (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence…
Open source ↗עֵצָה (ʻêtsâh, H6098) — advice; by implication, plan; also prudence יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or… מַחֲשָׁבָה (machăshâbâh, H4284) — a contrivance, i.e. (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan… לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… דּוֹר (dôwr, H1755) — properly, a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling
Open source ↗אֶשֶׁר (ʼesher, H835) — happiness; only in masculine plural construction as interjection, how happy! גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… בָּחַר (bâchar, H977) — properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select נַחֲלָה (nachălâh, H5159) — properly, something inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom;…
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God נָבַט (nâbaṭ, H5027) — to scan, i.e. look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
Open source ↗מָכוֹן (mâkôwn, H4349) — properly, a fixture, i.e. a basis; generally a place, especially as an abode יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… שָׁגַח (shâgach, H7688) — to peep, i.e. glance sharply at אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, O righteous ones; shout for joy, all you upright in heart.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Hallelujah! How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and lovely to praise Him!
Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous ones, and praise His holy name.
Shouts of joy and salvation resound in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the LORD performs with valor!
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.
Hallelujah, for the LORD is good; sing praises to His name, for it is lovely.
As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one.
For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.