Psalms 33:1-22

This is an anonymous Ps. of national deliverance, called forth by some historical occasion which it is now impossible to fix with any certainty. From its central conception of God as the ruler of all the earth and all the nations, it appears to belong to the later prophetic age. The metrical structure is specially regular. The first three and the last three vv. form corresponding groups of 6 lines each, and Psalms 33:4 consist of six groups of 4 lines each. The opening call to praise (Psalms 33:1) is followed by a description of God's character (Psalms 33:4); of His rule over all the inhabitants of the earth, based on His creative power (Psalms 33:6); of His rule over the nations, and of the special privilege of Israel as His people, whose defence is not in military power, but in Jehovah (Psalms 33:10). The closing vv. (20-22) respond to the summons at the beginning of the Ps.