A SONG FOR THE UPRIGHT.
Psalm 33:1-12.
PSALM 33:1. We see first of all the exhortation: “Rejoice in the LORD” (cf. Philippians 4:4). Joy is a fruit of the Spirit (cf. Galatians 5:22-23). When we abide in Jesus the true vine, not only do we dwell in His love, but we also partake of His joy (cf. John 15:11). Jesus has a special joy in the redemption of His people (cf. Hebrews 12:2), and we are privileged to share in that joy. We have such a special joy in His goodness to us that we hardly need to look for reasons to keep the Apostolic precept to ‘Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, Rejoice’ (cf. Philippians 4:4).
Second, we see in whom we are to rejoice: “in the LORD.” There is no real or lasting joy in earthly comforts. But when we consider what God has done for our poor benighted beleaguered souls, our heart bubbles over with joy, and our voice soars upward to join the heavenly host in their song.
Third, we see who are to rejoice: “O ye righteous.” The only ones who can rightly rejoice are those who are partakers of the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ our Lord (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:21). It is all very well when worldly choral societies take the words of Scripture upon their lips, and seem to sing with passion and gusto to and about our Lord: but sometimes their faces give away the sham. ‘The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is His delight’ (cf. Proverbs 15:8). Those who are born again may be less precise in their diction or in their rendition, but what they lack in finesse they make up for in their genuine interaction with the One to whom they raise their voices.
And fourth, a reason is given: “for praise is comely to the upright.” This is how the Lord sees us: we are righteous in His eyes, upright. That is who we are in Christ Jesus, His finished work. True praise belongs to the whole congregation of God’s redeemed people: all of us, not just the choir. The LORD accepts of our prayers, and our praises, and pardons our sins.
PSALM 33:2. The musical instruments which surround the exhortation to “sing unto Him” are there to assist, not to dominate. The instruments represent the diversity and range of possibilities in the music. However, the purest form of worship is the human voice.
PSALM 33:3. “Sing unto Him a new song.” Even old songs become new as we grow in our knowledge and understanding. There is a freshness in ‘the old, old, story’ of the gospel. Our mercies are ‘new every morning’ (cf. Lamentations 3:22-23) and so should our praises be. If we do have musical instruments, there is a need to “play skilfully.” Everything must be done ‘decently and in order’ (cf. 1 Corinthians 14:40). The “loud noise” at the end of this verse is not a dissonant cacophony, but a triumphant crescendo. To the praise of the LORD.
PSALM 33:4-5. The reasons for praise are further elucidated in terms of the word, works, and covenant love of the LORD (cf. Exodus 34:6). His word is right, His works are done in faithfulness, He loves righteousness and justice. This over-arches the moral fabric of society, and “the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.”
PSALM 33:6-7. Furthermore, “the word” mentioned in Psalm 33:4 is the same powerful, Creative word by which the cosmos was created (cf. Genesis 1:3). And Jesus is the Word (cf. John 1:1-3). “By the breath of His mouth” corresponds to the work of the Holy Spirit in Creation as there is only one Hebrew word for both “breath” and “Spirit.” The waters gathered together “as an heap” is also reminiscent of the Redemptive power of the LORD in the parting of the Red Sea (cf. Exodus 15:8).
PSALM 33:8-9. The whole earth is summoned to “fear the LORD” and “stand in awe of Him. For He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.” All things of nothing!
PSALM 33:10-11. This same God confounds the counsel of the ungodly (cf. Psalm 2:2-3), and sets up His own unchanging counsel for all generations.
PSALM 33:12. “Blessed is the NATION whose God is the LORD; and the PEOPLE whom He hath CHOSEN for His own inheritance.” In ancient times, it was only Israel who had such a relationship with the LORD. Not that they chose Him, but that He chose them.
It is still true today that there is only one “people” who can thus be defined as those “whose God is the LORD… whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance.” That is the people referred to as ‘the Israel of God’ in Galatians 6:16 - the church of our Lord Jesus Christ - ‘chosen in Him from the foundation of the world’ (cf. Ephesians 1:4), and made up of both Jews and Gentiles (cf. Galatians 3:7-9). The word to the church is, ‘But ye are a CHOSEN generation, a royal priesthood, an holy NATION, a peculiar PEOPLE’ (cf. 1 Peter 2:9). It was His choice, not ours: but what a blessing it is! What an honour!
