UNROLL
From very high on a ridge at clear morning, terraced hills fall away below with tiny villages and threads of cooking smoke, under a wide empty sky.

Praise

Psalm 33

When the news makes the world feel out of control, this is the song to sing over it.

22 verses≈ 3 minBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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Where we are

  1. 1–41Book IDavid's prayers: 'The LORD is my shepherd'Psalm 33
  2. 42–72Book II'As the deer pants'; the throne under pressure
  3. 73–89Book IIIAsaph and Korah: the kingdom falls
  4. 90–106Book IVBack to Moses: the LORD reigns
  5. 107–150Book VSongs of ascents, and the last Hallelujah

Praise to the Creator

Rejoice in the LORD, O righteous ones;

it is fitting for the upright to praise Him.

Praise the LORD with the harp;

make music to Him with ten strings.

Sing to Him a new song;

play skillfully with a shout of joy.

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

For the word of the LORD is upright,

and all His work is trustworthy.

The LORD loves righteousness and justice;

the earth is full of His loving devotion.

By the word of the LORD the heavens were made,

Psalm 33:6

Question

Quick question

The next stanza makes a sudden jump.

Why does the psalm move from “He spoke, and it came to be” straight to the plans of the nations?

The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations;

He thwarts the devices of the peoples.

The counsel of the LORD stands forever,

the purposes of His heart to all generations.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,

the people He has chosen as His inheritance!

Early morning on a dusty road dropping east toward the Jordan valley, strewn with cast-off cloaks, round shields, waterskins and cooking pots; far down the road two light chariots follow the trail.

The LORD looks down from heaven;

He sees all the sons of men.

From His dwelling place He gazes

on all who inhabit the earth.

He shapes the hearts of each;

He considers all their works.

No king is saved by his vast army;

no warrior is delivered by his great strength.

A horse is a vain hope for salvation;

even its great strength cannot save.

0:24

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Surely the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear Him,

on those whose hope is in His loving devotion

to deliver them from death

and keep them alive in famine.

Pray

Pray the headlines

Bring the news to Him. Name one nation, one plan and one fear. Then end with the psalm’s own last words: “May Your loving devotion rest on us, O LORD, as we put our hope in You.”

Late afternoon in a farmyard: a spear and a round shield hang unused on a stone wall while a farmer sits resting in the shade of his vine and his children play.

Our soul waits for the LORD;

He is our help and our shield.

For our hearts rejoice in Him,

since we trust in His holy name.

May Your loving devotion rest on us, O LORD,

as we put our hope in You.

You’ve experienced

Psalm 33

0 of 150 psalms read

A verse to carry with you

By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and all the stars by the breath of His mouth.

Psalm 33:6

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