Psaume 33

1 Justes, réjouissez-vous en l'Éternel! La louange convient aux hommes droits.

2 Célébrez l'Éternel avec la harpe; chantez-lui des cantiques sur la lyre à dix cordes!

3 Chantez-lui un cantique nouveau; faites retentir vos instruments et vos voix!

4 Car la parole de l'Éternel est droite, et toute son œuvre est faite avec fidélité.

5 Il aime la justice et l'équité; la terre est pleine de la bonté de l'Éternel.

6 Les cieux ont été faits par la parole de l'Éternel, et toute leur armée par le souffle de sa bouche.

7 Il amasse les eaux de la mer comme en un monceau; il met les flots dans des réservoirs.

8 Que toute la terre craigne l'Éternel; que tous les habitants du monde le redoutent!

9 Car il parle, et la chose existe; il commande, et elle paraît.

10 L'Éternel dissipe le conseil des nations, il met à néant le dessein des peuples.

11 Mais le conseil de l'Éternel subsiste à toujours; les desseins de son cœur durent d'âge en âge.

12 Heureuse la nation dont l'Éternel est le Dieu, le peuple qu'il s'est choisi pour héritage!

13 L'Éternel regarde des cieux; il voit tous les enfants des hommes.

14 Du lieu de sa demeure, il observe tous les habitants de la terre.

15 Il a formé leur cœur à tous, il prend garde à toutes leurs actions.

16 Le roi n'est pas sauvé par sa grande puissance, et l'homme vaillant n'est pas délivré par sa grande force.

17 Le cheval manque à sauver, et il ne délivre point par la grandeur de sa force.

18 Voici, l'œil de l'Éternel est sur ceux qui le craignent, sur ceux qui s'attendent à sa bonté,

19 Pour délivrer leur âme de la mort, et pour les faire vivre durant la famine.

20 Notre âme s'attend à l'Éternel; il est notre aide et notre bouclier.

21 Car notre cœur se réjouit en lui; car nous nous confions en son saint nom.

22 Que ta bonté soit sur nous, ô Éternel! comme nous nous attendons à toi.

Psaume 33 Commentary

Chapter 33

God to be praised. (1-11) His people encouraged by his power. (12-22)

Verses 1-11 Holy joy is the heart and soul of praise, and that is here pressed upon the righteous. Thankful praise is the breath and language of holy joy. Religious songs are proper expressions of thankful praise. Every endowment we possess, should be employed with all our skill and earnestness in God's service. His promises are all wise and good. His word is right, and therefore we are only in the right when we agree with it. His works are all done in truth. He is the righteous Lord, therefore loveth righteousness. What a pity it is that this earth, which is so full of the proofs and instances of God's goodness, should be so empty of his praises; and that of the multitudes who live upon his bounty, there are so few who live to his glory! What the Lord does, he does to purpose; it stands fast. He overrules all the counsels of men, and makes them serve his counsels; even that is fulfilled, which to us is most surprising, the eternal counsel of God, nor can any thing prevent its coming to pass.

Verses 12-22 All the motions and operations of the souls of men, which no mortals know but themselves, God knows better than they do. Their hearts, as well as their times, are all in his hand; he formed the spirit of each man within him. All the powers of the creature depend upon him, and are of no account, of no avail at all, without him. If we make God's favour sure towards us, then we need not fear whatever is against us. We are to give to him the glory of his special grace. All human devices for the salvation of our souls are vain; but the Lord's watchful eye is over those whose conscientious fear of his name proceeds from a believing hope in his mercy. In difficulties they shall be helped; in dangers they shall not receive any real damage. Those that fear God and his wrath, must hope in God and his mercy; for there is no flying from him, but by flying to him. Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us; let us always have the comfort and benefit, not according to our merits, but according to the promise which thou hast in thy word given to us, and according to the faith thou hast by thy Spirit and grace wrought in us.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 33

Though this psalm has no title to it, it seems to be a psalm of David, from the style and matter of it; and indeed begins with the same words with which the preceding psalm is ended. Theodoret is of opinion it was written by David as a prophecy concerning Hezekiah, as a song to be sung by the people after the destruction of the Assyrian army.