Lectionary Calendar
Sunday, July 20th, 2025
the Week of Proper 11 / Ordinary 16
the Week of Proper 11 / Ordinary 16
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Bible Commentaries
The Church Pulpit Commentary Church Pulpit Commentary
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Bibliographical Information
Nisbet, James. "Commentary on Psalms 33". The Church Pulpit Commentary. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/cpc/psalms-33.html. 1876.
Nisbet, James. "Commentary on Psalms 33". The Church Pulpit Commentary. https://www.studylight.org/
Whole Bible (45)Old Testament (1)Individual Books (6)
Verses 1-22
Psalms 32
Proper Psalm for Ash Wednesday ( Morning).
Psalms 32-34 = Day 6 ( Evening).
Verse 18
âTHOU, GOD, SEEST ME!â
âBehold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear Him, upon them that hope in His mercy.â
Psalms 33:18
I. There is a hope that cannot exist without fear, and a fear that should not be dissevered from hope.âThere is a fear that is obnoxious to perfect love; that is, a fear that has torment in it; it must be cast out, and sent to its own placeâthe bosom of the Evil One. But the fear we speak of, angels would not be without for worlds; and saints cannot be without it. You may call it a loving solicitude to do our heavenly Fatherâs will, without deviation or diminution. This fear is its own guarantee that the things feared will not come to pass. Like one that possesses some potent spell by which every conceivable danger may be obviated, he has just so much fear of evil as hinders him from forgetting the spell; while the conscious possession of the spell fills him with joy in the sense of all-sufficient strength, and with a confident anticipation of final, everlasting victory.
II. The eye of the Lord is upon such.âThey hope in His mercy because they are already, and are hourly, the recipients of His mercy. They know that His eye beams with loving-kindness, and it is a foretaste of heaven to know that His eye is upon them. Their works are done for His eye. Their conduct appears strange to men, and men ask, âWho is the spectator for whom these strange actions are performed?â They go boldly forth, lambs among wolves, because the Good Shepherd has His eye upon them. He guides them with His eye. When they discover that they are quitting the path of His approving glance, they hasten back.
They meet the eye of the Lord in prayer; in praise; in the study of His Word; in the exercise of faith; in their labours for the good of men; when men frown and rage; in the calm and in the storm; at noonday and in the dead of night; in sickness and bereavements; in health and deliverances. The eye of the Lord was upon the disciples when they were toiling in rowing; when they were sad, dispirited, bewildered on the lake of Gennesareth. They should have known that it was, but did not discover it till afterwards. Let us beware lest our little faith hinder us from seeing the eye of the Lord when things seem contrary and wearisome.
Illustration
âThe believer is not only surveyed as one amongst Godâs creatures, but he is looked upon personally. He is not lost in the crowd. âThus saith the Lord, The heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool, where is the house that ye build unto Me? and where is the place of My rest? For all those things hath Mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor, and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My word.â
I must comfort my soul in some of its sad hours with this reflection: âThou art not overlookedâthou art not cast aside in the Divine mind by others more worthy than thyselfâin that mind, every thing, every person, has a proper placeâthou art under the Divine eye. Behold that Eye looking upon thee, and be assured that thou art cared for; be at peace.â â