Psalm 33 - A New Song

Read: Psalm 33 vs 1-22

I am not musical. I was sent to piano when I was in primary school but to quote my late father ‘I didn’t make much of it’. I can’t make music but I do appreciate music. The Psalms are overflowing with music and creativity. Psalm 33 is a call for new songs and new tunes to be skilfully written and formed for God’s glory.

This Psalm celebrates the LORD’s faithfulness, His righteousness and His love of justice (vs 5). ‘Justice’ is about a world where we treat our neighbours as we would want to be treated (Mark 12:31), in a just world the welfare of the ‘other’ (be that a friend or an enemy) matters to us. 

When we realise our place in this created order our appropriate response is one of worship, awe and humble praise (vs 8). However, in this fallen world the ‘nations’ (vs 10) often make their own plans without any reference to God. This is foolish. Psalm 33 sets out what it means for a nation to be blessed. There are very real limitations to what human power or wealth can do. Verses 16-17 expose this:

‘No king is saved by the size of his army;

No warrior escapes by his great strength.

A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;

Despite all its great strength it cannot save.’

What does it mean for a nation to truly be secure in a time (vs 19) of natural catastrophe and emergency?  Verses 20-22 summon us to walk the road of wisdom and to keep waiting for the LORD and placing our hope in Him:

‘We wait in hope for the LORD;

He is our help and our shield.

In Him our hearts rejoice,

For we trust in His holy Name.

May your unfailing love be with us, LORD,

Even as we put our hope in you.’

Prayer: Lord we have been reminded in recent weeks of the limits of what the nations can do. Help us to remember what we have learnt. Help us as a nation and as individuals to turn back to you and to place our hope in you.