Psalms 33:12-22 - Homilies By C. Short

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 his acts; you must know his thoughts and purposes to know his character.

II. HIS PEOPLE HAVE IN GOD A STRONGER DEFENCE THAN THE GREATEST WORLDLY POWER WOULD BE . ( Psalms 33:10-12 .)

1 . The victory of the king and the safety of the warrior are not they own works. Even the war-horse, a thing that promises much in strength, can in reality do nothing apart from God's overruling power.

2 . The eye of God is ditched towards those that fear him , to deliver them from danger and death.

III. THE CHURCH ACKNOWLEDGES GOD AS ITS HELP , ITS SHIELD , AND ITS SOURCE OF JOY . ( Psalms 33:20-22 .)

1 . The Church waits for God. ( Psalms 33:20 .) To be its Help and Shield.

2 . The Church rejoices in the holiness of God. If he were not perfectly good we should have to tremble with terror and not rejoice.

3 . The Church hopes in God. Hope has been the attitude of the Church through all the ages. It must be our personal attitude towards God in Christ. "Which hope we have as the anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast," etc. What can sufferers do but hope ?—S.