Psalm 33
Geneva Study Bible
Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.
Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is {a} comely for the upright.

(a) It is the duty of the godly to set forth the praises of God for his mercy and power showed to them.

Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.
Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an {b} instrument of ten strings.

(b) To sing on instruments, was a part of the ceremonial service of the temple, which does not belong to us any more than the sacrifices, censors and light.

Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.
Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.
For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.
For the {c} word of the LORD is right; and all his {d} works are done in truth.

(c) That is, counsel or command in governing the world.

(d) That is, the effect and execution.

He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.
He {e} loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.

(e) However the world judges God's works, yet he does all things according to justice and mercy.

By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.
He {f} gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.

(f) By the creation of the heavens and beautiful ornament with the gathering also of the waters, he sets forth the power of God, that all creatures might fear him.

Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.
For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.
The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.
The LORD bringeth the {g} counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.

(g) No counsel can prevail against God, but he deserves it, and it will have evil success.

The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
Blessed is the nation whose {h} God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

(h) He shows that all our happiness stands in this, that the Lord is our God.

The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.
The LORD {i} looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.

(i) He proves that all things are governed by God's providence and not by fortune.

From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.
He {k} fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.

(k) Therefore he knows their wicked enterprises.

There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
There is no {l} king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.

(l) If kings and the mighty of the world cannot be saved by worldly means, but only by God's providence, what do others have to trust in, who have not similar means?

An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.
An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.
Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
Behold, {m} the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;

(m) God shows his mercy toward his, which man by no means is able to compass.

To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.
{n} Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.

(n) Thus he speaks in the name of the whole Church which only depends on God's providence.

For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.
Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.
The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599]

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