Psalm 33 is all about giving praise, thanksgiving and worship to the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! The verbs used here are all plural, which means that these instruction are for the congregation. They are for public praise and worship, but can always be used in individual praise and worship! In light of what we see happening in the world around us, the nations of the world should be reading and obeying this Word! Verses 8-12:
8Let all the earth fear the Lord [revere and worship Him]; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. 9For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast. 10The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nought; He makes the thoughts and plans of the peoples of no effect. 11The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the thoughts of His heart through all generations. 12Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His heritage.
In case they think He doesn't notice what they're saying and doing, see verses 13-16:
13The Lord looks from heaven, He beholds all the sons of men; 14From His dwelling place He looks [intently] upon all the inhabitants of the earth-- 15He Who fashions the hearts of them all, Who considers all their doings. 16No king is saved by the great size and power of his army; a mighty man is not delivered by [his] much strength.
And what of US, if our nation does not serve the Lord? Verses 18-19:
18Behold, the Lord's eye is upon those who fear Him [who revere and worship Him with awe], who wait for Him and hope in His mercy and loving-kindness, 19To deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.
AMEN! Keep spending time in intimate fellowship with Him and nothing that goes on will take us by surprise and we will be protected by HIM, through it all! Thank You, Lord Jesus!
In keeping with that thought, we see this in 1 Thessalonians 5:1:
1BUT AS to the suitable times and the precise seasons and dates, brethren, you have no necessity for anything being written to you.
And then verses 4-5:
4But you are not in [given up to the power of] darkness, brethren, for that day to overtake you by surprise like a thief. 5For you are all sons of light and sons of the day; we do not belong either to the night or to darkness.
Our instruction comes in verse 6:
6Accordingly then, let us not sleep, as the rest do, but let us keep wide awake (alert, watchful, cautious, and on our guard) and let us be sober (calm, collected, and circumspect).
And our promise in verses 9-11:
9For God has not appointed us to [incur His] wrath [He did not select us to condemn us], but [that we might] obtain [His] salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) 10Who died for us so that whether we are still alive or are dead [at Christ's appearing], we might live together with Him and share His life. 11Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing.
Another instruction we have in this chapter is found in verses 12-13:
12Now also we beseech you, brethren, get to know those who labor among you [recognize them for what they are, acknowledge and appreciate and respect them all]--your leaders who are over you in the Lord and those who warn and kindly reprove and exhort you. 13And hold them in very high and most affectionate esteem in [intelligent and sympathetic] appreciation of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
The word "know" here is the Hebrew word, "oida", which means: to see, to perceive. It is a perfect tense with a present meaning: to have knowledge of, rather than "ginosko" (related to epignosis) which means a progression of knowledge. What this is telling us is that we need to be aware of those who work WITH us and have the care OVER us. We need to be praying for them, encouraging them and supporting them in every way possible! Stay current in this! Having told your pastor last year that you appreciated him is NOT being a doer of this Word! Being obedient to this will increase your capacity to receive more of everything you need from the Lord and will help you get in position to receive!
Another instruction is found in verse 16:
16Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always);
This is NOT to be neglected! If you find yourself not very happy, find out what is hindering you so that you can show forth THIS attitude always! Doing verse 18 will help!
18Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].
Notice it says to thank God IN everything, not FOR everything! Whether the situation you are facing is a good thing or a bad thing, be thankful to God for HIS part in it! He is either your PROVIDER (for the good thing) or your DELIVERER (from the bad thing), so thank Him always! AMEN! THAT attitude will help you be happy in your faith!
Verse 23 is a verse we use often to show our triune makeup:
23And may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [separate you from profane things, make you pure and wholly consecrated to God]; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved sound and complete [and found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).
Remember that your spirit was made new immediately at the New Birth (2 Corinthians 5:17), your soul (mind, emotions and will) are made new daily by meditating on and obeying the Word (Romans 12:2), and your body WILL BE made new immediately when you receive your resurrection body at the time of the catching away of the Church (1 Corinthians 15:51-53)!
And finally, a verse that I remind myself daily. Verse 24:
24Faithful is He Who is calling you [to Himself] and utterly trustworthy, and He will also do it [fulfill His call by hallowing and keeping you].
Count on it! Whatever God has called you to do, HE will perform it THROUGH you! AMEN!
Shalom in Him!
