Psalm 33

v1: Rejoice – a word of command that has to do with a shout of excitement in a very public way. The person writing this Psalm has an expectation that (based on G-d’s promises) G-d was going to do something. 

• “In the L-rd” – a New Testament concept we have mentioned often (Being “In Messiah’). It is only when we are in Messiah that we can have true joy, hope and Kingdom expectation, and it is only In Messiah that we can be declared ‘righteous’. We will never be seen by G-d as righteous unless we are in a covenantal relationship with Him through the blood of Yeshua. 
• Upright – Those who walk (behave) properly/straight in the things of G-d. 
• Walking in the will of G-d is going to lead to lives of praise. 

v2: In the same way that voices are raised in worship to G-d so too can the playing of instruments be a form of worship to G-d. 

Praise and worship, in adoration to G-d, produces a change in us, it has an influence in our lives (like a tree being pruned in order to produce more fruit). 

v3: That ‘new song’ (unique, different) is only going to be sung by those who have experienced the newness of a redemptive relationship that has been put into force by the blood of Yeshua (Rev 5:9)

v4: This word ‘right’ is the same word that was translated ‘upright’ in v1. The Word of the L-rd (what He says) is straight, it doesn’t deviate. It guides us in the right direction, and gives us the right objectives for life.

• His Work = what He does. Everything that G-d does is upright because its foundation is truth. 

v5: Righteousness and justice – two things that should characterize our lives. When we speak of righteousness it generally has religious implications and relates to the spiritual (Man’s relationship to G-d). Justice on the other hand oftentimes has to do with relationships man to man (rendering things properly in this world – human to human)

v6: ‘The host of them’ could be referring to angels but it could also refer to all the celestial objects – the sun, stars etc

The writer wants us to understand that the Word of G-d is very powerful. G-d’s Word brought massive change. We need to pay attention to His Word. Every bit of it is important and should not be taken lightly. 

v7: Gathered as a heap – G-d placed it in a specific location. 

• ‘The deep’ – whether we’re talking about something in the heavens, something on earth or something down below the sea G-d is able to bring it into being just by speaking it into being.  

v8: The things of this world (mountains, seas, trees etc) acknowledge G-d. How much more so should we to whom G-d has granted abundant intelligence and understanding?

• The fear of the L-rd = giving G-d priority in every aspect of our lives. 

v9: Over and over again we see an emphasis on the power of the Word of G-d. All of this should lead us to have a great respect and esteem of the Word of G-d. All Scripture is G-d breathed. He spoke it into being and it comes with His power, anointing and revelation. 

v10: ‘Nations’ here, refers to those individuals who have no covenantal relationship with G-d.

• In this verse we see another classic example of parallelism. Counsel = plans. Nations/Gentiles = people. Nothing = no effect/void. Man’s plans will fail. Only G-d’s plans, which are built are on the right foundation, will stand. 

v11: G-d’s plans (which are eternal/forever) are contrasted to the world’s plans. When we follow G-d’s plans we can be assured that we are building toward something eternal. 

• The ‘plans of His heart’ – the heart is the source and the seat of thoughts. G-d’s thoughts do not change. They endure from generation to generation. I.e: The Word of G-d never becomes outdated and nor does it change to suit the times. It was sufficient in the past, and it remains sufficient now. 

v12: When G-d is truly our L-rd we will not be easily deceived by the enemy.

• When G-d is our L-rd He is going to acknowledge us, we will be His. This means that He will bring us into His Kingdom (inheritance usually has a Kingdom connection) so that we will be with Him – knowing His provision, experiencing His character etc

v13: Belonging to G-d doesn’t only have benefits in the Kingdom to come. It has benefits here and now. 

• ‘Looks’ – is a word of looking intently at or gazing at. When we are in the new covenant relationship with G-d we can be assured that He is watching us/watching over us. 
• ‘Seeing’ is a word of paying close attention to. G-d looks at us differently to the way that He looks at those not in covenant with Him.

v14: His habitation – the place where He dwells in some unique manner.

v15: Individually – uniquely. Each person is unique. Our thoughts (hearts) are all unique and are all judged by G-d.

• Considers all their works – G-d is the One who understands and judges all of our deeds.

v16-17: Earthly sourced abundance cannot save/deliver us (Abundant armies, abundant strength, horses etc)

v18: We should be people who want G-d’s eyes to be upon us, watching us. 

• Those who fear Him – Those who give Him priority. How do we give G-d priority? By following His commandments, applying His instructions (His Word, standards, statutes, laws etc) to our lives. 
• ‘Those who hope in His mercy/grace’ – even though these psalms were written long before Yeshua was born they are filled with messianic expectation – Yeshua came bringing grace/mercy.

v19: Famine – a place of being in want. G-d provides for us who are in relationship with Him so that we have no wants (Ps 23). G-d sustains us in difficult times.

v21: IN HIM – this is the place where hearts (thoughts) are full of joy. 

• Trusted in His holy name – As people in a New Covenant relationship with G-d we acknowledge the character of G-d by turning away from sin. Grace is not a license for us to keep on sinning. Grace is a license to change. A license to be transformed into HIS image and likeness. 

v22: We want G-d’s mercy/grace to be upon us. 

• ‘Hope’ is a word of faith (trust in something yet unseen). It is a word of waiting, a word of expectation. This hope/expectation causes us to act differently to those who are in the world and who do not have this hope/expectation.