Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary
Psalms 33:6

Clarke's Commentary

Verse Psalms 33:6. By the word of the Lord were the heavens made — This is illustrated in the Psalms 33:9 verse: "He spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast." This evidently refers to the account of the creation, as it stands in the Genesis 1:0.

Bridgeway Bible Commentary

Psalms 33:0 Rejoicing in God

Israel’s musicians and singers are called to unite in joyous praise to God (1-3). He is worthy of people’s praise because of his faithfulness, seen in all his righteous works (4-5); because of his power, seen in creation and in his irresistible word (6-9); and because of his sovereign control, seen in the history of world events (10-12). God, being perfect in knowledge, sees the uselessness of all those achievements in which people put their trust (13-17).
Above all, God is worthy of people’s praise because of the salvation he gives to those who fear him. He gives them life, protection and provision (18-19). All who humbly trust in his mercy will find that their lives develop new qualities of patience, confidence and joy (20-22).

Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible

“By the word of Jehovah 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 a heap: He layeth up the deeps in storehouses.”

In these verses, the praiseworthiness of God is based upon, “His being the Creator of the world in the kingdom of Nature.”Ibid., p. 403.

“The heavens… all the host of them” (Psalms 33:6). These were spoken into existence by God. His simple word was all that was required to bring them into existence.

“By the breath of his mouth” (Psalms 33:6). This is merely another way of saying, “by God’s Word.”

“He gathereth the waters of the sea together as a heap” (Psalms 33:7). Here we have a classical example of how some translators, confronting a word of many meanings, sometimes choose the worst possible rendition. (In our New Testament Series, Vol. 11, we commented extensively upon this, pp. 219, 222.)

“As a heap” (Psalms 33:7). This word is capable of a number of translations. Dahood mentioned, “`Jar,’ `pitcher,’ `flask,’ and `water-skin’ as possible renditions.”Mitchell Dahood in The Anchor Bible, p. 201. The RSV has the ridiculous translation of the verse as, “He gathered the waters of the sea as in a bottle.” What were the translators thinking about? Putting all the oceans of the world “in a bottle?” The second half of the verse, which after the manner of Hebrew poetry repeats the thought of the first half makes it unthinkable to accept such a rendition. Furthermore, the sacred Hebrew Text, “The Hebrew text of the Old Testament (the Masoretic Text) has the word `heap’ in this place,”The New Layman’s Bible Commentary, p. 621. as translated in the KJV and in our own American Standard Version.

Why did translators make this change? Kidner explained it: “`Bottle,’ or `wine-skin’ seems more suited to a creation context than the Masoretic Text (’heap’) which alludes elsewhere to the exodus.”Derek Kidner, Vol. 1, p. 137. All that excuse says is that the translators decided to substitute their own words in place of the legitimate Hebrew text.

Not only is the word `heap,’ the only legitimate rendition for this verse, it also fits the facts. If we inquire as to “How has God gathered the seas together in a `heap,’“ in order to allow much of the dry land on earth to appear, the answer lies in the polar ice-caps, both of which are miles deep in solid ice, of which scientists have warned us that, if they were all melted at one time, practically all of earth’s greatest cities would lie several hundred feet submerged in the ocean.

The allusion to the exodus, mentioned by Kidner, above, is not merely allowable, it gives the only worthy parallel to the incredible walls of frozen waters in the polar caps, referring, as Barnes noted, “To Exodus 15:8, `The floods stood upright as a heap.’“Barnes’ Notes on the Old Testament (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, a 1987 reprint of the 1878 edition), Vol. 1, p. 280.

Another remarkable error that surfaces with reference to this chapter is that of Dummelow who made Psalms 33:7 here, “A reference to the ancient idea of a reservoir of water under the earth.”J. R. Dummelow’s Commentary, p. 342. There may have been such an “ancient idea,” but Dummelow did not find it in the Bible. Genesis 7:11, which he cited in his comment teaches no such thing. The “great deep” mentioned there is a reference to the oceans, not to waters under the earth.

DeHoff’s comment here is very discerning. He said, with reference to Psalms 33:7 that, “The use of the present tense (as in `gathering’) suggests God’s continuous actions in the sustaining of the universe.”George DeHoff’s Commentary, Vol. III, p. 125. How true this is! God’s `gathering of the seas’ is going on right now in the fact of God’s Deep Freezer keeping the mighty polar ice-caps in the tremendous `heaps’ where God is gathering them.

Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

By the word of the Lord - By the command of God: Genesis 1:3, Genesis 1:6 etc. See the notes at Psalms 33:9.

Were the heavens made - That is, the starry heavens; the worlds above us: Genesis 1:1.

And all the host of them - All their “armies.” The stars are represented as armies or marshalled hosts, led forth at his command, and under his direction - as armies are led forth in war. See Genesis 2:1; compare the notes at Isaiah 1:9.

By the breath of his mouth - By his word or command - as our words issue from our mouths with our breath. The idea here is, that God is the Creator of all things; and, as such, has a claim to praise; or, that as Creator he is entitled to adoration. To this he is entitled from the fact that he has made all things, and from the “manner” in which it has been done - the wisdom, power, goodness, skill, with which it has been accomplished.

Calvin's Commentary on the Bible

6.By the word of Jehovah. That he may stir us up to think more closely of God’s works, he brings before us the creation of the world itself; for until God be acknowledged as the Creator and Framer of the world, who will believe that he attends to the affairs of men, and that the state of the world is controlled by his wisdom and power? But the creation of the world leads us by direct consequence to the providence of God. Not that all men reason so justly, or are endued with so sound a judgment, as to conclude that the world is at this day maintained by the same divine power which was once put forth in creating it: on the contrary, the great majority imagine that he is an idle spectator in heaven of whatever is transacted on earth. But no man truly believes that the world was created by God unless he is also firmly persuaded that it is maintained and preserved by him. Wisely and properly, therefore, does the prophet carry us back to the very origin of the world, in order to fix in our minds the certainty of God’s providence in the continual order of nature. By the figure synecdoche, he uses the term heavens for the whole fabric of the world, because, as I have elsewhere remarked, the sight of the heavens more than all the other parts of creation transports us with admiration. He therefore immediately adds, And all the host of them, by which phraseology, according to the usual method of Scripture, he means the stars and planets; for if the heavens were destitute of this ornament, they would in a manner be empty. In saying that the heavens were created by the word of God, he greatly magnifies his power, because by his nod alone, ⁽⁶⁷⁴⁾ without any other aid or means, and without much time or labor, ⁽⁶⁷⁵⁾ he created so noble and magnificent a work. But although the Psalmist sets the word of God and the breath of his mouth in opposition both to all external means, and to every idea of painful labor on God’s part, yet we may truly and certainly infer from this passage, that the world was framed by God’s Eternal Word, his only begotten Son. Ancient interpreters have, with considerable ingenuity, employed this passage as a proof of the eternal Deity of the Holy Spirit against the Sabellians. But it appears from other places, particularly from Isaiah 11:4, that by the breath of the mouth is meant nothing else but speech. For it is there said concerning Christ, “He shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.” As powerful and effective speech is there allegorically denominated the rod of his mouth; so in like manner, for another purpose it is denominated in the immediately succeeding clause the breath of his mouth, to mark the difference that exists between God’s speech and the empty sounds which proceed from the mouths of men. In proving the Divinity of the Holy Spirit, therefore, I durst not press this text against Sabellius. Let us account it sufficient that God has formed the heavens by his Word in such a manner as to prove the eternal Deity of Christ. Should any object that these divine persons would not appear distinct if the terms Word and Breath are synonymous; I answer, that the term breath is not employed here simply as in other places, in which there is evidently a distinction made between the Word and the Spirit; but the breath of his mouth is used figuratively for the very utterance of speech; as if it had been said, As soon as God uttered the breath of his mouth, or proclaimed in word what he wished to be done, the heavens were instantly brought into existence, and were furnished, too, with an inconceivable number and variety of stars. It is indeed true that this similitude is borrowed from men; but the Scriptures often teach in other places, that the world was created by that Eternal Word, who, being the only begotten Son of God, appeared afterwards in flesh.

(674) “Par son simple vouloir et commandement.” — Fr. “Simply by his will and commandment.”

(675) “Sans aussi y employer beaucoup de temps ou travail.” — Fr.

Smith's Bible Commentary

Psalms 33:1-22

Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely [or beautiful] for the upright ( Psalms 33:1 ).

Now, this is something that you might not be able to do as you read it.

Praise the LORD with a harp: sing unto him with a psaltery ( Psalms 33:2 )

Another instrument in those days.

and an instrument of ten strings ( Psalms 33:2 ).

Actually, David was quite a musician. These were all written to be sung. And he invented many instruments. David was actually an inventor of instruments. And so he had some instruments that he had made with strings, and he was a skillful player on the harp himself, and he was called the beautiful psalmist of Israel.

Sing unto him a new song; and play skillfully with a loud noise ( Psalms 33:3 ).

And that is the motto of our Maranatha groups.

For the word of the LORD is right; and all of his works are done in truth. He loves righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD ( Psalms 33:4-5 ).

If you will look around you can find the goodness of God that has been extended to us in so many ways.

Now he speaks of the power of God's word.

By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all of the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He gathered the waters of the sea together as a heap: he laid up the depth in storehouses. Let all the earth reverence 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 ( Psalms 33:6-9 ).

I was up at the conference center last weekend with a lot of the fellows, and we had just a beautiful night up there. And after the service I took a walk out through the woods, just the Lord and I. I could see the Pleiades, because it was getting close to midnight and the winter constellations are starting now. If you wait until after midnight you can see the Pleiades, and Taurus and Orion, and of course, right above head was Corona. And I was looking up, and of course, you can still see up there the Milky Way. And looking up into the skies I thought of this verse, "For the word of the Lord is right. His works are done in truth, and by the word of the Lord were the heavens made." Created by His word. And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. And God said, "Let there be light holders, the stars, the sun," and it was so. And I got to thinking of the power of God's word. "He spake and it was done." And then he said, "Let the earth stand in awe of Him." And I will tell you, when you look at those skies up there, you stand in awe of God. Oh, how great is the power of His word.

The LORD brings the counsel of the heathen to nothing: he makes the devices of the people of none effect. For the counsel of the LORD stands for ever, and the thoughts of his heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is Jehovah; and the people whom he hath chosen as his own inheritance ( Psalms 33:10-12 ).

Oh, how blessed is that nation who will honor God and who will serve God, and who will put God at the heart of their national life. Blessed, happy is the nation whose God is Jehovah. Not whose God is materialism, but whose God is Jehovah. And you look at the nations that have honored God, and put God at the heart of the nations, and you'll see nations that have been blessed. I think of our forefathers and the founding of our nation, and I would recommend to you the book, "The Light and the Glory," which brings out some interesting facets of the history of the United States that you don't find in your usual textbooks. Gives you a little insight on the spiritual foundations of our nation. Putting on the coinage, "In God We Trust." Placing within the Pledge of Allegiance, "One nation, under God." Oh blessed, happy is the nation whose God is Jehovah.

"And those people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance," that is you. You are God's inheritance. Oh, that you might know what is the hope of His calling and the riches of His inheritance in the saints.

The LORD looks from heaven; and behold all the sons of men ( Psalms 33:13 ).

Now, God is watching you. That can be very comforting; it also can be very terrifying. It all depends on what you are doing. "The Lord looks from heaven; He beholds the sons of men."

From the place of his habitation he looks upon all of the inhabitants of earth. He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considers all their work. There is no king that is saved by the multitude of a host: a mighty man is not delivered by his great strength. A horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon those that reverence him, upon those that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the LORD: he is our help and our shield. 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 ( Psalms 33:14-22 ). "

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

Psalms 33

This psalm calls the godly to praise Yahweh for His dependable Word and His righteous works, specifically His creative activities in nature and human history. The psalmist also assured the readers that He will be faithful to those who trust in Him.

"If the purest form of a hymn is praise to God for what He is and does, this is a fine example. The body of the psalm is occupied with the Lord as Creator, Sovereign, Judge and Saviour, while the beginning and end express two elements of worship: an offering of praise, doing honour to so great a King, and a declaration of trust, made in humble expectation." [Note: Kidner, p. 136.]

The Hebrew text does not identify the writer of this psalm, though the Septuagint translators believed he was David. Perhaps they concluded this because other psalms that David composed surround this one (cf. Psalms 72:20). The occasion of writing appears to have been a national victory.

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

2. Reasons to praise the Lord 33:4-19

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

These verses expand the idea that God is reliable (v.4). Psalms 33:6-7 describe creation as coming into existence by the word of God. Psalms 33:8-9 draw a conclusion from these facts, that, since by His word God created the world, everyone should reverence Him. Psalms 33:10-11 depict God’s word as determining what has happened in history since the creation. What the Lord says takes place regardless of the plans of people and nations. His works prevail.

Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

By the word of the Lord were the heavens made,.... The aerial and starry heavens, and the heaven of heavens, the third heaven, the seat of the divine Majesty, and the habitation of angels and glorified saints; these were "made" even out of nothing, not out of any pre-existent matter, nor were they eternal; and being made are creatures, and so not to be worshipped, neither they nor their hosts after mentioned; angels, sun, moon, and stars; these were made by the Word of God, the essential Word of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, who often goes by this name, John 1:1; and very fitly agrees with him, who spoke for all his people in the council and covenant of grace, and undertook to be their surety; is the Word spoken of by all the holy prophets since the beginning of the world; is the interpreter of his Father's mind and will, of which he must be capable, since he lay in his bosom; and now he speaks for his saints in heaven, whose advocate he is; and especially he may be so called because he so often spake on the six days of creation, and said, let this and the other thing be, and it was so; and to him, as the Word of God, is the creation of all things frequently ascribed, John 1:1

Hebrews 11:3, and particularly the heavens, Hebrews 1:10. This is a proof of the deity of Christ, and of the dignity of his person; and shows how fit he is to be the Saviour of men; how safe the saints are in his hands; and that he ought to be trusted in, adored, and worshipped;

and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth: by "the host" of the heavens are meant the angels of heaven, who dwell in the third heaven, and are the militia of it; they are called the heavenly host, Luke 2:13; these are under Jehovah, as their Lord and King, and are the army among whom he does according to his will, 1 Kings 22:19; these attended him whenever he has made any remarkable appearance; and they have been employed by him against his enemies, and in defence of his people, about whom they encamp, 2 Kings 19:35. The sun, moon, and stars, are the host of the next heaven, these are ranged in their proper order by the Lord, and he keeps the muster roll of them, Isaiah 40:26; and these are used by him as his militia; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera, Judges 5:20; and the winged tribe are the host of the lower heaven; and even the lower class of these, as the locusts and grasshoppers, go forth in bands and troops, and encamp in the hedges, and at the command of God pass through and devour whole countries, Proverbs 30:27; and all these are made by "the breath" or "spirit z of [Jehovah's] mouth"; that is, by the Spirit of God, the third Person in the Trinity; a name which is suitable to him who is breathed forth, and proceeds from the Father and the Son, and to whom creation is ascribed, Genesis 1:2; and which is no inconsiderable proof of his deity; and shows that he must be equal to the work of sanctification, which he begins and carries on. Now though the creation of the heavens is attributed to the Word, and the host of them to the Spirit, yet we are not to suppose that one Person took one part, and another Person another part of the creation; but they were all, Father, Word, and Spirit, jointly concerned in the whole.

z ברוח פיו "spiritu oris ejus", V. L. Gejerus, Michaelis; so Ainsworth.

Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible

      1 Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.   2 Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.   3 Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.   4 For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.   5 He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.   6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.   7 He gathereth the waters of the sea together as a heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.   8 Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.   9 For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.   10 The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.   11 The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

      Four things the psalmist expresses in these verses:

      I. The great desire he had that God might be praised. He did not think he did it so well himself, but that he wished others also might be employed in this work; the more the better, in this concert: it is the more like heaven. 1. Holy joy is the heart and soul of praise, and that is here pressed upon all good people (Psalms 33:1; Psalms 33:1): Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous; so the foregoing psalm concluded and so this begins; for all our religious exercises should both begin and end with a holy complacency and triumph in God as the best of being and best of friends. 2. Thankful praise is the breath and language of holy joy; and that also is here required of us (Psalms 33:2; Psalms 33:2): "Praise the Lord; speak well of him, and give him the glory due to his name." 3. Religious songs are the proper expressions of thankful praise; those are here required (Psalms 33:3; Psalms 33:3): "Sing unto him a new song, the best you have, not that which by frequent use is worn, thread-bare, but that which, being new, is most likely to move the affections, a new song for new mercies and upon every new occasion, for those compassions which are new every morning." Music was then used, by the appointment of David, with the temple-songs, that they might be the better sung; and this also is here called for (Psalms 33:2; Psalms 33:2): Sing unto him with the psaltery. Here is, (1.) A good rule for this duty: "Do it skilfully, and with a loud noise; let it have the best both of head and heart; let it be done intelligently and with a clear head, affectionately and with a warm heart." (2.) A good reason for this duty: For praise is comely for the upright. It is well pleasing to God (the garments of praise add much to the comeliness which God puts upon his people) and it is an excellent ornament to our profession. It becomes the upright, whom God has put so much honour upon, to give honour to him. The upright praise God in a comely manner, for they praise him with their hearts, that is praising him with their glory; whereas the praises of hypocrites are awkward and uncomely, like a parable in the mouth of fools,Proverbs 26:7.

      II. The high thoughts he had of God, and of his infinite perfections, Psalms 33:4; Psalms 33:5. God makes himself known to us, 1. In his word, here put for all divine revelation, all that which God at sundry times and in divers manners spoke to the children of men, and that is all right, there is nothing amiss in it; his commands exactly agree with the rules of equity and the eternal reasons of good and evil. His promises are all wise and good and inviolably sure, and there is no iniquity in his threatenings, but even those are designed for our good, by deterring us from evil. God's word is right, and therefore all our deviations from it are wrong, and we are then in the right when we agree with it. 2. In his works, and those are all done in truth, all according to his counsels, which are called the scriptures of truth,Daniel 10:21. The copy in all God's works agrees exactly with the great original, the plan laid in the Eternal Mind, and varies not in the least jot. God has made it to appear in his works, (1.) That he is a God of inflexible justice: He loveth righteousness and judgment. There is nothing but righteousness in the sentence he passes and judgment in the execution of it. He never did nor can do wrong to any of his creatures, but is always ready to give redress to those that are wronged, and does it with delight. He takes pleasure in those that are righteous. He is himself the righteous Lord, and therefore loveth righteousness. (2.) That he is a God of inexhaustible bounty: The earth is full of his goodness, that is, of the proofs and instances of it. The benign influences which the earth receives from above, and the fruits it is thereby enabled to produce, the provision that is made both for man and beast, and the common blessings with which all the nations of the earth are blessed, plainly declare that the earth is full of his goodness--the darkest, the coldest, the hottest, and the most dry and desert part of it not excepted. What a pity is it that this earth, which is so full of God's goodness, should be so empty of his praises, and that of the multitudes that live upon his bounty there are so few that live to his glory!

      III. The conviction he was under of the almighty power of God, evidenced in the creation of the world. We "believe in God," and therefore we praise him as "the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth," so we are here taught to praise him. Observe,

      1. How God made the world, and brought all things into being. (1.) How easily: All things were made by the word of the Lord and by the breath of his mouth. Christ is the Word, the Spirit is the breath, so that God the Father made the world, as he rules it and redeems it, by his Son and Spirit. He spoke, and he commanded (Psalms 33:9; Psalms 33:9), and that was enough; there needed no more. With men saying and doing are two things, but it is not so with God. By the Word and Spirit of God as the world was made, so was man, that little world. God said, Let us make man, and he breathed into him the breath of life. By the Word and Spirit the church is built, that new world, and grace wrought in the soul, that new man, that new creation. What cannot that power do which with a word made a world! (2.) How effectually it was done: And it stood fast. What God does he does to purpose; he does it and it stands fast. Whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever,Ecclesiastes 3:14. It is by virtue of that command to stand fast that things continue to this day according to God's ordinance,Psalms 119:91.

      2. What he made. He made all things, but notice is here taken, (1.) of the heavens, and the host of them,Psalms 33:6; Psalms 33:6. The visible heavens, and the sun, moon, and stars, their hosts-- (2.) Of the waters, and the treasures of them, Psalms 33:7; Psalms 33:7. The earth was at first covered with the water, and, being heavier, must of course subside and sink under it; but, to show from the very first that the God of nature is not tied to the ordinary method of nature, and the usual operations of his powers, with a word's speaking he gathered the waters together on a heap, that the dry land might appear, yet left them not to continue on a heap, but laid up the depth in store-houses, not only in the flats where the seas make their beds, and in which they are locked up by the sand on the shore as in storehouses, but in secret subterraneous caverns, where they are hidden from the eyes of all living, but were reserved as in a store-house for that day when those fountains of the great deep were to be broken up; and they are still laid up there in store, for which use the great Master of the house knows best.

      3. What use is to be made of this (Psalms 33:8; Psalms 33:8): Let all the earth fear the Lord, and stand in awe of him; that is, let all the children of men worship him and give glory to him, Psalms 95:5; Psalms 95:6. The everlasting gospel gives this as the reason why we must worship God, because he made the heaven, and the earth, and the sea, Revelation 14:6; Revelation 14:7. Let us all fear him, that is, dread his wrath and displeasure, and be afraid of having him our enemy and of standing it out against him. Let us not dare to offend him who having this power no doubt has all power in his hand. It is dangerous being at war with him who has the host of heaven for his armies and the depths of the sea for his magazines, and therefore it is wisdom to desire conditions of peace, see Jeremiah 5:22.

      IV. The satisfaction he had of God's sovereignty and dominion, Psalms 33:10; Psalms 33:11. He over-rules all the counsels of men, and makes them, contrary to their intention, serviceable to his counsels. Come and see with an eye of faith God in the throne, 1. Frustrating the devices of his enemies: He bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought, so that what they imagine against him and his kingdom proves a vain thing (Psalms 2:1); the counsel of Ahithophel is turned into foolishness; Haman's plot is baffled. Though the design be laid ever so deep, and the hopes raised upon it ever so high, yet, if God says it shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass; it is all to no purpose. 2. Fulfilling his own decrees: The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever. It is immutable in itself, for he is in one mind, and who can turn him? The execution of it may be opposed, but cannot in the least be obstructed by any created power. Through all the revolutions of time God never changed his measures, but in every event, even that which to us is most surprising, the eternal counsel of God is fulfilled, nor can any thing prevent its being accomplished in its time. With what pleasure to ourselves may we in singing this give praise to God! How easy may this thought make us at all times, that God governs the world, that he did it in infinite wisdom before we were born, and will do it when we are silent in the dust!