Psalm 33

10 At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:10-11)

SLIDE 2 Thomas Brooks, an English preacher of the 1600s, wrote:

The sovereignty of God is that golden scepter in his hand by which he will make all bow, either by his word or by his works, by his mercies or by his judgment.

One way or another, one day every knee will bow and acknowledge the glory of God.

SLIDE 3 Turn with me to Psalm 33. When you get there, notice that there is no superscription for this psalm. We’re not told when it was written, why it was written, or who wrote it. It is one of only four in Book 1 of the psalms with no such heading. However, many think it was written by David.

Its location in the Psalms. All of the psalms in this section are said to have been written by David.

The Septuagint, the Jewish translation of the Old Testament into Greek attributes it to David.

It should be pointed out that this is the first psalm to specifically mention musical instruments being used for the worship of God. The theme of the psalm is the praise of God. There are no cries for help or deliverance; it is simply a song of praise. The psalmist calls upon those who follow God to praise him for his mighty works and his salvation. Derek Kidner, an English preacher of the 1900s wrote of the psalm:

If the purest form of a hymn is praise to God for what he is and does, this is a fine example. (Derek Kidner)

The first three verses serve as an introduction while the last three are a conclusion. The middle verses give the reasons for our worship of God.

SLIDE 4 First, there is the call to rejoice.

1 Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. 2 Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. 3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. (Psalm 33:1-3)

Over and over God’s people sang the praise of God. After crossing the Red Sea, Moses said: SLIDE 5

I will sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. (Exodus 15:1b)

Miriam encouraged the Israelites to: SLIDE 6

Sing to the Lord , for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea. (Exodus 15:21)

After God provided water for the Israelites in the wilderness we read: SLIDE 7

Then Israel sang this song: “Spring up, O well! Sing about it.” (Numbers 21:17)

As the Israelites were preparing to enter into the Promised Land, God told Moses: SLIDE 8

Now write down this song and teach it to the Israelites and have them sing it, so that it may be a witness for me against them. (Deuteronomy 31:19)

SLIDE 9 God desires that we sing his praise. Over a hundred times in the Bible we are directed to sing praise to God. Singing is not the only way to worship God, but it is an important one.

Do you enjoy singing? Do you enjoy riding down the road on a spring day singing to a favorite song? At the last Tennessee football game I attended the band played Rocky Top after UT scored a touchdown. It seemed like everyone in the stadium was singing along – the UT fans anyway. Though our culture likes music I don’t think we are much of a singing one. We’ll sing for events like that, but there are many people who won’t sing, at least not in public, for anything else. I wonder how much of that is due to the radio. On the radio we hear only the best voices and even then they edited to make them sound as close to perfect as possible. We get the feeling then that only those who sing well should sing when that is not the case. It is certainly not true when it comes to the worship of God. You’ll remember that Psalm 100 calls us to: SLIDE 10

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. (Psalm 100:1, KJV)

While the psalm isn’t calling us to just make noise as some have suggested, the translation does suggest that the quality isn’t as important as the purpose which is to off praise to God. The word the psalmist uses means to sign with jubilant exultation. If you’ve heard the crowd at Neyland Stadium sing Rocky Top then you know what the word means. The psalmist encourages those who love God to joyfully and energetically sing God’s praise because it is the right thing to do. It is right for us to sing the praise of God.

SLIDE 11 Then, the psalmist mentions an instrument we should use in our worship of God. He mentions the harp, also known as the ten-stringed lyre. This was David’s favorite instrument. He was brought to serve King Saul because of his skill at playing. After the Spirit of God left Saul, he was often troubled by an evil spirit. He asked that they find someone who could play well to help comfort him in those troubling times. It was suggested that they get David because of his ability to play.

SLIDE 12 It is sad how often the devil is able to make an issue of the instruments which are often used for worship while the Bible mentions several different types. It talks about:

Stringed instruments like the harp

Brass instruments

Woodwinds, and

Percussion such as cymbals

All of these were used in their worship of God. Additionally, the psalmist says we are to sing s new song. Charles Spurgeon wrote:

Let us not present old worn-out praise, but put life and soul and heart into every song, since we have new mercies every day and see new beauties in the work and word of our Lord.

I don’t think he was saying not to sing older songs, but that the way we sing them is to be fresh. As many have observed, it’s possible to sing all the words to a hymn without paying any attention to the words coming out of our mouths. When we do that are we really offering praise to God? W need to think about the words we sing. The psalmist also encourages the use of new songs. He’s not talking about the style, but that we need to constantly be thanking God and worshiping him. As we contemplate all that God is and what he is done we will want to write new songs to express our worship of him. Old songs may do a good job of expressing our praise but new songs can help remind us that God is still at work among us today.

SLIDE 13 Second, the psalmist gives us the cause for our rejoicing.

Praise always has a reason. The fans at Neyland sing Rocky Top after UT scores. Why is it that we should worship God? The reason is because of who God is and what he has done. The psalmist mentions three reasons we offer praise to God: SLIDE 14

God’s word is powerful

God’s will is all-ruling

God’s eye’s are all-seeing

SLIDE 15 God’s word is powerful

4 For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. 5 The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. (Psalm 33:4-5)

You’ve heard of some silly laws that remain on the books.

In Glendale, Arizona, it is illegal to drive a car in reverse, so virtually everyone in a mall parking lot is breaking the law.

In Fairbanks, Alaska, it is illegal to serve alcohol to a moose.

In San Francisco, California, it is illegal to wipe your car with used underwear. So, is it okay to use new underwear?

In South Bend, Indiana, it's illegal for monkeys to smoke cigarettes. Does that mean they can smoke cigars or a pipe?

In New Orleans, Louisiana, it's against the law to gargle in public.

In Boston, Massachusetts, it's illegal to take a bath unless one has been ordered by a physician to do so.

In Minnesota, women may face 30 days in jail for impersonating Santa Claus.

In Fargo, North Dakota, it's illegal to lie down and fall asleep with your shoes on. I prefer sleeping with my shoes off anyway.

Perhaps they had a reason when they became law, but they don’t make any sense now. Times change and what made the law necessary is no longer there. That’s not true with God’s laws. God’s laws and decrees are always right and true. His word was true yesterday and it will be true tomorrow. People may not like it, but it never changes. What God says, he will do. Referring to God’s character, the psalmist says that God loves righteousness and justice. God wants to see the right thing always done because he always does the right thing.

6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. 7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses. 8 Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. 9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. (Psalm 33:6-9)

The psalmist is echoing the words of Genesis 1 where we’re told that all God had to do was speak and it was so. He spoke and there was light. He spoke and the waters separated from the land. The land began producing vegetation at the command of his voice. He said it and birds flew, fish swam, and beasts covered the fields of the earth. God said, “Let there be mankind in our image” and suddenly a man and woman appeared. God then breathed and gave them life. I have to work hard to get anything done but God only speaks and it happens. Because of that great power, the psalmist says we should be in awe of him. If God can create everything we see with only his voice, what more can if do if he put some effort into it. Therefore, we should fear and reverence him.

In Luke 7, we read about a Roman centurion who can to Jesus for help. One of his trusted servants was sick and there was nothing anyone could do for him. When the centurion heard about the miracles Jesus had performed he went to Jesus for help. When Jesus heard about the situation he was more than willing to visit the sick man to heal him, but the centurion dissuaded him from going. He wasn’t worthy to have someone as important and righteous as Jesus to visit his home. Plus, it wasn’t necessary. He believed that all Jesus needed to do was speak the word and his servant would be healed.

6b Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. (Luke 7:6b-7)

God told Isaiah, SLIDE 17

10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, SLIDE 18 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:10-11)

God’s word is powerful. It is right and true. Therefore, let us praise him.

SLIDE 19 Next, we praise God because his will is all-ruling.

10 The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. 11 But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. (Psalm 33:10-11)

Just as God spoke and the universe was created, God rules over all of life. There is nothing that happens that God doesn’t know about or allows to happen. People make plans but there is nothing they can do without God’s consent. Do you know how to make God laugh? Tell Him your plans. That’s why James advises we seek God’s will for our lives. SLIDE 20

13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” SLIDE 21 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. SLDIE 22 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:13-15)

We can’t control what will happen today, much less tomorrow; only God can. That’s why Jesus said we should trust God and not worry. We can’t make our lives even a second longer, so why worry when God is in complete control. God is the one who allows nations to rise and fall. He is the one who places kings on thrones and removes them. Nothing happens without his knowledge or consent.

SLIDE 23 And then we worship God because his eyes are all-seeing.

12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. 13 From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; 14 from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth – 15 he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. (Psalm 33:12-15)

The year was 1620. There was 102 pilgrims were huddled below deck. All the hatches were closed because of continuous storms and all non-essential personnel were required to stay below decks. There was the constant crying of small children and there was no chance to cook any meals. The pilgrims spent 7 weeks in this condition. However, in the midst of all this hardship they constantly prayed, sang in worship, and confessed their sins.

This didn’t go over very well with the crew, one of which made it his personal agenda to mock the Pilgrims at every turn. He gloated at their sickness and delight in telling them how much he looked forward to feeding them to the fish when they died. He was certain many of them would be dying soon. Death was familiar among the non-seafaring on these long voyages and these were the puniest travelers he’d ever seen. But he was wrong.

There were only two deaths on the voyage of the Mayflower. Guess who the first one to die was? At the peak of his tormenting, this same crewman suddenly took gravely ill of an unknown fever and he died within a single day! No one else caught this mysterious disease, and his was the first body to go over the side to become fish food. From that day on, the crew lost their enthusiasm to mock the pilgrims.

Even though the weather wasn’t very pleasant, God blessed the pilgrims. The nation that is blessed is the one that follows the commands of God. The psalmist was talking specifically about Israel, but any nation would be prudent to trust in God. The Apostle John wrote: SLIDE 24

1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. SLIDE 25 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. SLIDE 26 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. (1 John 3:1-3)

We should want to be God’s people. We should want to be a people that seeks after God.

Roger Babson, an American historian, was visiting the president of Argentina about one hundred years ago when the president asked him: “You are a student of history, will you please tell me why it is that South America, with her unlimited resources, and having been settled earlier than North America, has nevertheless made much slower progress in civilization and material prosperity?”

Mr. Babson threw the question back upon the president by saying, “Mr. President, you evidently have studied this question yourself, and I would be interested to know your answer to it.”

The President replied that he thought the explanation lay in the fact that South America was settled by Spaniards who came seeking gold while North America was settled by the Pilgrim Fathers who came seeking God.

SLIDE 27 There is nothing that God does not see as he looks down on the earth from heaven. Some might chafe at that idea, but it should bring us comfort. It comforts us knowing that when we’re in trouble and need God’s help that he knows it. He’s not too busy or unconcerned. For that we should give him praise.

Of course, if we don’t trust in God what will we trust in? We are left to trust in ourselves and in what we can. But the psalmist reminds us that trusting in our own ingenuity doesn’t work.

16 No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. 17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. 18 But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, 19 to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. (Psalm 33:16-19)

One commentator has noted that:

Our national peril is our trust in missiles, bombers, and armaments. Like the horse of old, they are “a vain hope for safety.” Our God is in the business of breaking the pride of the nations. Where is Victoria’s Empire now? Where is Hitler’s Reich? Where is Wilson’s “world made safe for democracy”? What happened to the “war to end all wars”?

Whenever we place our hope in something other than God we will be disappointed. God had warned his people not to put their trust in their army, in the number of horses and chariots. SLIDE 28

The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the Lord has told you, “You are not to go back that way again.” (Deuteronomy 17:16)

They weren’t to trust in their military might. Instead, they were to trust God for God alone is able to deliver and to save.

SLIDE 29 God sees all of creation. He knows what is going on everywhere at all times. However, he especially pays attention to those who love him, those who fear him, trust him, and hope in his unfailing love. Those are the ones God rescues. Therefore, sing his praise.

SLIDE 30 Third, the psalmist shows how the people choose to rejoice.

Notice in the last verses how it turns from first person singular to first person plural. The psalmist has been encouraging the people to worship God and not the people respond to what they’ve heard.

20 We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. 21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. 22 May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you. (Psalm 33:20-22)

There is a French proverb which states, “A good meal ought to begin with hunger.” The point is it is hard to enjoy a meal when you are not yet hungry. But, when you are hungry, anything tastes good.

If we approach the Word with a hunger to be satisfied, we will be satisfied every time. Effective worship begins with a hunger for God.

The people affirm their desire for God. God is their source of hope. They call God their help and shield. It is God who will protect them. It is God who will defend them from attacks from their enemies. Because of that they rejoice in God.

Another British preacher, W. E. Sangster, began to lose his voice and mobility in the mid-1950s having been diagnosed with ALS. Sangster’s voice eventually failed completely, and his legs became useless. On Easter morning just a few weeks before his death, he took a pen and shakily wrote his daughter a letter. In it he said:

It is terrible to wake up on Easter morning and have no voice with which to shout, “He is risen!” – but it would be still more terrible to have a voice and not want to shout.

The psalmist encourages us to sing and shout the praises of God. When we consider who God is and all he has done, how can we keep silent?

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