10 Jehovah made void the counsel of nations, He disallowed the thoughts of the peoples. 11 The counsel of Jehovah to the age standeth, The thoughts of His heart to all generations.
12 O the happiness of the nation whose God 'is' Jehovah, Of the people He did choose, For an inheritance to Him. 13 From the heavens hath Jehovah looked, He hath seen all the sons of men. 14 From the fixed place of His dwelling, He looked unto all inhabitants of the earth; 15 Who is forming their hearts together, Who is attending unto all their works. 16 The king is not saved by the multitude of a force. A mighty man is not delivered, By abundance of power. 17 A false thing 'is' the horse for safety, And by the abundance of his strength He doth not deliver. 18 Lo, the eye of Jehovah 'is' to those fearing Him, To those waiting for His kindness, 19 To deliver from death their soul, And to keep them alive in famine. 20 Our soul hath waited for Jehovah, Our help and our shield 'is' He, 21 For in Him doth our heart rejoice, For in His holy name we have trusted. 22 Let Thy kindness, O Jehovah, be upon us, As we have waited for Thee!
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 33:10-22
Commentary on Psalm 33:1-11
(Read Psalm 33:1-11)
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.
Commentary on Psalm 33:12-22
(Read Psalm 33:12-22)
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.