Forgiven ones Adore the Lord in His Counsels and Ways

God’s word and works are the subjects of the psalmist’s meditation. His works and providence proceed from His will expressed by His Word. In the beginning was the Word, and from that glorious statement all things materialised. When God said, “Let there be light,” there was. One has written that His work is consonant with His Word. 

Throughout the psalm, God’s work of creation, His government of nations and His special preservation of His people, are the wondering consideration of the writer. God’s Word shall not return unto Him void, for the Lord spake the Word, and shall it not come to pass? No wonder the composer wanted to sing a new song (and this psalm is the new song), for he rejoices that the Word of the Lord is right, and all His works are done in truth. The Word is Christ Himself, in whom God has laid all His purposes and works. We have therefore this assurance, that because Christ has all power in heaven and earth, then His work shall be accomplished. Did He not pray that He had finished the work the Father gave Him to do?

Pastor Jeff O’ Neil

Recommended Tune: Irish, Caithness

Psalm 33

¹Ye righteous, in the LORD rejoice;
It comely is and right,
That upright men, with thankful voice,
Should praise the Lord of might.

²Praise GOD with harp, and unto him
Sing with the psaltery;
Upon a ten-string’d instrument
Make ye sweet melody.

³A new song to him sing, and play
With loud noise skilfully;
⁴For right is GOD’s word, all his works
Are done in verity.

⁵To judgment and to righteousness
A love he beareth still;
The loving-kindness of the LORD
The earth throughout doth fill.

⁶The heavens by the word of GOD
Did their beginning take;
And by the breathing of his mouth
He all their hosts did make.

⁷The waters of the seas he brings
Together as an heap;
And in storehouses, as it were,
He layeth up the deep.

⁸Let earth, and all that live therein,
With rev’rence fear the LORD;
Let all the world’s inhabitants
Dread him with one accord.

⁹For he did speak the word, and done
It was without delay;
Established it firmly stood,
Whatever he did say.

¹⁰GOD doth the counsel bring to nought
Which heathen folk do take;
And what the people do devise
Of none effect doth make.

¹¹O but the counsel of the LORD
Doth stand for ever sure;
And of his heart the purposes
From age to age endure.

¹²That nation blessed is, whose God
JEHOVAH is, and those
A blessed people are, whom for
His heritage he chose.

¹³The LORD from heav’n sees and beholds
All sons of men full well:
¹⁴He views all from his dwelling-place
That in the earth do dwell.

¹⁵He forms their hearts alike, and all
Their doings he observes.
¹⁶Great hosts save not a king, much strength
No mighty man preserves.

¹⁷An horse for preservation
Is a deceitful thing;
And by the greatness of his strength
Can no deliv’rance bring.

¹⁸Behold on those that do him fear
The LORD doth set his eye;
Ev’n those who on his mercy do
With confidence rely.

¹⁹From death to free their soul, in dearth
Life unto them to yield.
²⁰Our soul doth wait upon the LORD;
He is our help and shield.

²¹Sith in his holy name we trust,
Our heart shall joyful be.
²²LORD, let thy mercy be on us,
As we do hope in thee.