Psalm 33- A new song.

Psalm 33

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.

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.

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[a];
   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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sing to him a new song…

there are many references to a new song in the

scriptures- most of them in the psalms. 

What does it mean to sing a new song?

Is it about a change in tone or behaviour?

Or is it more about style and tune?

Does it require a change of attitude?

Perhaps we need to find some deeper meaning,

some hidden symbol or heightened understanding

of the text.

This psalm has 22 verses- and often that suggests that

the psalm is an acrostic psalm- each verse corresponding

with the Hebrew alphabet  Alef to Tav.  This is a very old

mnemonic device used by the Jewish people to signify

that the psalm is all inclusive – what we would say includes

everything from A to Z.  The next Psalm –34- is an acrostic

psalm- but 33 is not.  It is a NEW  song.  It has its own style

and rhythm – it is not following the tradition, but speaks of

the LORD from an experiential point of view.

Not a hymn- a praise song.

I’ve been singing a new song, lately.

Looking at the brevity and frailty of life here from a different

point of view- and praising the Lord for His protection.

I’m recognizing that truly, God is in control.

And I’m grateful for His Providence.

Singing a new song in Akron, Ohio.

2 thoughts on “Psalm 33- A new song.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *