20 Our soul hath waited for Jehovah: He is our help and our shield.
Blessed be Jehovah my rock, Who teacheth my hands to war, `And' my fingers to fight: My lovingkindness, and my fortress, My high tower, and my deliverer; My shield, and he in whom I take refuge; Who subdueth my people under me.
And they were helped against them, and the Hagrites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them; for they cried to God in the battle, and he was entreated of them, because they put their trust in him.
My soul waiteth in silence for God only: From him `cometh' my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation: `He is' my high tower; I shall not be greatly moved.
My soul, wait thou in silence for God only; For my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: `He is' my high tower; I shall not be moved.
O Israel, trust thou in Jehovah: He is their help and their shield. O house of Aaron, trust ye in Jehovah: He is their help and their shield. Ye that fear Jehovah, trust in Jehovah: He is their help and their shield. Jehovah hath been mindful of us; he will bless `us': He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron.
I wait for Jehovah, my soul doth wait, And in his word do I hope. My soul `waiteth' for the Lord More than watchmen `wait' for the morning; `Yea, more than' watchmen for the morning.
And I will wait for Jehovah, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 33
Commentary on Psalms 33 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 33
Ps 33:1-22. A call to lively and joyous praise to God for His glorious attributes and works, as displayed in creation, and His general and special providence, in view of which, the Psalmist, for all the pious, professes trust and joy and invokes God's mercy.
1-3. The sentiment falls in with Ps 32:11 (compare 1Co 14:15). The instruments (Ps 92:3; 144:9) do not exclude the voice.
3. a new song—fresh, adapted to the occasion (Ps 40:3; 96:1).
play skilfully—(Compare 1Sa 16:17).
4-9. Reasons for praise: first, God's truth, faithfulness, and mercy, generally; then, His creative power which all must honor.
6. In "word" and "breath"—or, "spirit," there may be an allusion to the Son (Joh 1:1) and Holy Spirit.
9. he spake—literally, "said."
it was—The addition of "done" weakens the sense (compare Ge 1:3-10).
10, 11. In God's providence He thwarts men's purposes and executes His own.
heathen—literally, "nations."
12-19. The inference from the foregoing in Ps 33:12 is illustrated by God's special providence, underlying which is His minute knowledge of all men.
13. looketh—intently (Isa 14:16).
15. fashioneth—or, "forms," and hence knows and controls (Pr 21:1).
alike—without exception.
considereth—or, "understands"; God knows men's motives.
16, 17. Men's usual reliances in their greatest exigencies are, in themselves, useless.
17. On the war horse (compare Job 39:19-25).
a vain thing—a lie, which deceives us.
18, 19. Contrasted is God's guidance and power to save from the greatest earthly evil and its most painful precursor, and hence from all.
20-22. waiteth—in earnest expectation.
21. his holy name—(Compare Ps 5:12; 22:22; 30:4). Our faith measures mercy (Mt 9:29); and if of grace, it is no more of debt (Ro 11:6).