Ps. 33 THE ARGUMENT This Psalm contains a celebration of God for his great and glorious works, both of creation and providence. God is to be praised by reason of his goodness, Ps. 33:1–5; of his power, Ps. 33:6–11; and of his providence, Ps. 33:12–15.

Rejoice in the Lord; let his excellency discovered in his works be the matter of your joy and praise. Praise is comely for the upright; it well becomes them to exercise themselves in this work of praising and blessing of God; partly because they have such singular and abundant obligations and…

He mentions these instruments, because they were used in the public worship and praises of God in the tabernacle.

A new song; either, 1. Newly composed. As God gives you fresh occasions, so do not you content yourselves with the old songs or psalms, made by the holy men of God, but make new ones suited to the occasions. But neither had all the righteous, to whom he speaks, Ps.

All God’s counsels and commands, either contained in the Scriptures, or given forth in his providence, for the government of the world, are wise, and just, and good, without deceit or defect: and all his works of providence agree with his word, and are no other than the accomplishment of his…

Judgment, i.e. just judgment, by a figure called hendiadis, as Jer. 22:3. Or justice relates to the sentence, and judgment to the execution of it. He not only doth justice to all men, as was implied, Ps. 33:4, but, which is more, he loves it, and delights in it.

By the word of the Lord; either, 1. By the hypostatical Word, Christ, who is oft called God’s Word, even by the Chaldee paraphrast; as also John 1:1–3, where he is said to be that Word by whom all things were made.

He gathereth; or, gathered; for he speaks of the first creation, when this was done, Gen. 1:0. As an heap; by which expression he brings to our minds this great work of God, that the sea, which is lighter and higher than earth, is yet confined within its bounds, that it might not overflow the…

All the earth; all the people of the earth, as the next clause expounds this; not only Jews, but Gentiles, who equally enjoy the benefit of this great and glorious work of God.

It was done; the work here mentioned, Ps. 33:6–7. Stood fast; or, stood forth, as a servant at his master’s command; or, was or did exist.

Of the heathen; or, of the nations; though nations combine themselves and their counsels together, yet he defeats them when he pleaseth. Thus he passeth from the work of creation to the works of providence, and from the instances of his power in senseless and unreasonable creatures, to manifest his…

All his purposes and designs, and especially those which concern his chosen people, of whom he speaks in the next verse, are always successful and irresistible.

Seeing the Lord is so great and glorious in wisdom, and power, and goodness, as hath been hitherto said, as they must needs be very miserable who are strangers or enemies to him; so thrice happy is that people of Israel, who, though they be despised by the Gentiles, are chosen by this Almighty God,…

Although he hath a special relation to Israel, yet he hath a general care and inspection over all mankind, all whose hearts and ways he discerns and observes.

Fashioneth, or fashioned, or made, or formeth. For this may relate either, 1. To the work of creation. So he proves what he said Ps. 33:13–14, that God beheld all men, because he made them; yea, even their hearts, the most secret piece of them. Or, 2. To the works of his providence.

King; he instanceth in these, as the most potent and uncontrollable persons in the world, and most confident of themselves and least sensible of their dependence upon God; by which he strongly proves his general proposition, of God’s powerful providence over all men.

An horse; though he be strong, Job 39:19;c., and fit for battle, Prov. 21:31; or for flight, if need requires. And so this is put for all warlike provisions; of which horses were and are a very considerable part. A vain thing, Heb.

Whosoever therefore would have safety and deliverance, must seek and expect it only from the watchful eye and almighty hand and mercy of God. Them that fear him; these are the chief objects of his care and favour.

Their soul, i.e. their life, when he sees it to be expedient for them: sometimes it is better for them to die than to live, as both good and bad men have declared; and when it is so, it is known to God, but not to us.

The help of us Israelites, to whom he hath made many promises and glorious discoveries of his goodness.

For; or, therefore; for this seems to be an inference either from the foregoing or from the following sentence.