Psalms 33:1-11 - Homilies By C. Short

A call to praise God.

The psalm is anonymous, and was composed apparently to celebrate some deliverance of the nation from heathen oppression, resulting from God's interposition and without war. Psalms 33:1-3 are a summons to praise God, the song to be accompanied with instrumental music. God is to be praised—

I. AS THE GOD OF REVELATION . ( Psalms 33:4 , Psalms 33:5 .)

1 . His Word is upright, always fulfilling itself.

2 . All his conduct is faithful and righteous.

3 . All his manifestations of himself are full of loving-kindness.

II. AS THE CREATOR OF THE WORLD . ( Psalms 33:6-9 .)

1 . His Word—the breath of his mouth—was sufficient for the creation of the heavens.

2 . He gathered together the waters of the sea.

3 . Such manifestations of his power ought to fill us with reverence and awe. Study God's works as well as his Word. In the nineteenth verse we have the thought of the sixth verse repeated.

III. As THE IRRESISTIBLE RULER IN THE HISTORY OF MEN . ( Psalms 33:10 , Psalms 33:11 .) Contrast here between what God does with the thoughts and counsels of men—bringing them to nought—and what he does with his own—making them to stand fast to all generations. The counsels which he brings to nought are evil counsels; he prospers and establishes the counsels of the righteous, and fulfils his own plans and purposes.—S