Bible Commentaries

Psalms 33:2. The psaltery, a little harp of sweet sound, and very generally used in unison with the voice.

Psalms 33:6. By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, as in Genesis 1. By the Word the christian fathers, Basil and Theodoret, understand Christ, the uncreated Word. This ever-living Word, as in all the Jewish Targums, is the glorious Person who inspired the prophets, reproved kings, and expostulated with Jonah: the Word of the Lord, made flesh for man. By the breath, they understand the Spirit of the Lord, which moved on the waters. See on Proverbs 8:22. Isaiah 49. and 63.

REFLECTIONS.

Ingratitude is a foul offence against the gracious Lord. The earth makes returns to the husbandman, and the beasts in their way are grateful for food. Surely then it becomes the just to be thankful. A nation saved by victory from captivity and the sword, should make the whole land resound with grateful hymns and obedient hearts.

This psalm celebrates the Creator in his providence; he gathers the waters of the sea by gravity, brings the counsel of the heathen to nought, and supersedes all their divinations, while the counsel of the Lord stands for ever.

It notices the happiness of a nation strictly religious, which trust in the Lord, and not in an arm of flesh, for no king is saved by the multitude of his infantry; neither is it safe to trust to his cavalry, the horse being a vain defence. Let thy mercy, oh Lord, ever be on us, as on David, and on his people.

This Psalm is an acrostic: the twenty two verses contain the exact number of letters in the Hebrew alphabet, and follow the same order. The sentiments are ardent, the language glowing; for the escape from danger when suspected of being a spy, made his soul overflow with gratitude.