Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him; upon them that hope in his mercy . The eye of the Lord is in a certain sense upon all ( Psalms 33:13 , Psalms 33:14 ), but it rests especially upon the righteous. He notes how all men act, but carefully watches over the safety and prosperity of his faithful ones read more
To deliver their soul from death . The protection and deliverance, which a man's own strength cannot give, which no host, however numerous, can afford ( Psalms 33:16 ), which are not to be obtained from the largest chariot or cavalry force ( Psalms 33:17 ), can he and will be furnished freely by God, who alone keeps souls from death, and "delivers" those who are in peril. And to keep them alive in famine . Famine was a calamity from which Palestine often suffered (see Genesis 12:10 ;... read more
Our soul waiteth for the Lord (comp. Psalms 25:21 ; Psalms 62:1 , Psalms 62:5 ; Psalms 130:5 , Psalms 130:6 , etc.). Confident in God's good will, and in his power to help us, we wait patiently and cheerfully for him to manifest himself in his own good time. He is our Help and our Shield . We trust in no one and nothing but him—not in armies ( Psalms 33:16 ), not in horses ( Psalms 33:17 ), not in our own strength ( Psalms 33:16 ). He alone is our dependence. (For the use... read more
A brief address of the people to God, arising out of what has been declared concerning his goodness ( Psalms 33:4 , Psalms 33:5 , Psalms 33:12-19 ) and his power ( Psalms 33:6-11 ), which constitute a call upon them for praise and adoration. read more
For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy Name (comp. Psalms 13:5 , where the sentiment is the same). Trust in God secures his help, and this brings the deliverance at which the heart rejoices. read more
Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee. The measure of men's hope and trust in God is the measure of his mercy and goodness to them. Those who are assured that they have a full trust in him may confidently expect a fall and complete deliverance. Thus, "according as"— כַאֲשֶׁר —is emphatic. read more
Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him - He watches over them, and “he” guards them from danger. His eye is, in fact, upon all men; but it is directed with special attention to those who fear him and trust in him. Their security is in the fact that the eye of God is upon them; that he knows their wants; that he sees their dangers; that he has ample ability to deliver and save them.Upon them that hope in his mercy - Upon the pious; upon his friends. The expression is a very... read more
To deliver their soul from death - To preserve their “lives,” - for so the word “soul” is to be understood here. The meaning is, to keep them alive. That is, God is their Protector; He guards and defends them when in danger.And to keep them alive in famine - In times of want. Compare Job 5:20. He can provide for them when the harvests fail. Famine was one of the evils to which the inhabitants of Palestine, and of Oriental countries generally, were particularly exposed, and it is often referred... read more
Our soul waiteth for the Lord - This and the subsequent verses to the end of the psalm refer to the people of God, expressing their faith in him in view of the considerations suggested in the former part of the psalm. The language is expressive of the general character of piety. True piety leads people to wait on the Lord; to depend on Him; to look to His interposition in danger, sickness, poverty, want; to rely upon Him for all that is hoped for in this life, and for salvation in the life to... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 33:12-22
What God's people possess in him. The call to praise God is supported by a setting forth of that which his people possess in him. The theme of this second part of the psalm is set forth in the twelfth verse, "Blessed is the nation whose God is Jehovah." I. BECAUSE GOD IS THE CREATOR HE HAS THE MOST PERFECT KNOWLEDGE . ( Psalms 33:13-15 .) He not only observes men's doings, but knows their hearts, as having created them. You cannot know a man perfectly from... read more