Bible Commentaries
Psalms 33

Verse 1

Rejoice = Shout for joy. Psalms 33:0 (without a title) is thus linked on to Psalms 32:11 . Other links maybe noted: Compare Psalms 32:8 with Psalms 33:17 ; and Psalms 32:8 with Psalms 33:18 , &c.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Verse 3

a new song. First occurrence of seven new songs in the O.T. (six in the Psalms: Psalms 33:3 ; Psalms 40:3 ; Psalms 96:1 ; Psalms 98:1 ; Psalms 144:9 ; Psalms 149:1 ; and one in Isaiah 42:10 ). Hebrew. hadash, new, unheard of before.

Verse 5

goodness = lovingkindness.

Verse 6

By the word, &c. Quoted in 2 Peter 3:5 .

breath = spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

Verse 7

as an heap. Aramaean, Septuagint, and Syriac read "as a skin-bottle", taking the pointing as in Psalms 119:83 . The Massoretic pointing refers it to Exodus 15:8 .

depth = depths, or abysses.

Verse 8

world = world (as inhabited). Hebrew. tebel,

Verse 9

spake. Referring to the one act.

was done = it became. Refers to the permanent fact.

commanded. Refers to the one act.

stood fast. Refers to the abiding fact.

Verse 10

heathen = nations, or peoples.

Verse 12

Blessed = How happy. See App-63 . Compare Psalms 144:15 .

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

Verse 13

the sons of men = humanity. Hebrew. adam (with Art.) App-14 .

Verse 18

Behold. Figure of speech Asterism o s . App-6 .

eye. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 . Some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "eyes" (plural)

hope in = wait for.

mercy = lovingkindness, or grace.

Verse 19

deliver = rescue.

their soul = them themselves. Hebrew. nephesh ( App-13 ),

Verse 20

Our soul = we ourselves. for emphasis.

shield. Hebrew. magen. See note on Psalms 5:12 .

Verse 21

trusted = confided. Hebrew. batah. App-69 .

holy. See note on Exodus 3:5 .

name. See note on Psalms 20:1 .