Daily Devotional Sunday 2nd January 2022

by William Moody

Psalm 33

The Steadfast Love of the Lord

33:1   Shout for joy in the LORD, O you righteous!
    Praise befits the upright.
  Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre;
    make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!
  Sing to him a new song;
    play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.
  For the word of the LORD is upright,
    and all his work is done in faithfulness.
  He loves righteousness and justice;
    the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.
  By the word of the LORD the heavens were made,
    and by the breath of his mouth all their host.
  He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap;
    he puts the deeps in storehouses.
  Let all the earth fear the LORD;
    let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!
  For he spoke, and it came to be;
    he commanded, and it stood firm.
10   The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
    he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
11   The counsel of the LORD stands forever,
    the plans of his heart to all generations.
12   Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
    the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!
13   The LORD looks down from heaven;
    he sees all the children of man;
14   from where he sits enthroned he looks out
    on all the inhabitants of the earth,
15   he who fashions the hearts of them all
    and observes all their deeds.
16   The king is not saved by his great army;
    a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
17   The war horse is a false hope for salvation,
    and by its great might it cannot rescue.
18   Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him,
    on those who hope in his steadfast love,
19   that he may deliver their soul from death
    and keep them alive in famine.
20   Our soul waits for the LORD;
    he is our help and our shield.
21   For our heart is glad in him,
    because we trust in his holy name.
22   Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us,
    even as we hope in you.

(ESV)

This Psalm is a wonderful call to praise the Lord and to do it skilfully with musical instruments (v1-3). The reason we are to do this is because the Lord’s word is upright (v4), His works are faithful (v4b), He loves righteousness (v5a) and the earth is full of His love (v5b).

Take time to consider and to speak to the Lord about these great qualities (v4-5). It is dwelling on this truth that creates praise and thanksgiving.

The Psalmist then speaks of God’s work of creation (v6-9) which should create a fear and awe of God (v8). Next we‘re directed to God’s providence in ruling over the affairs of this world (v10-12) and how blessedness is to be found in knowing God’s wonderful favour (12).

All that happens in this world happens under the watchful eye of God (v13-15) and hope is found therefore not in our best efforts (v16-17) but in having a proper reverence of God and hope in His love (v18-19). This faith in the Lord creates security, joy and a wonderful experience of God’s love (v20-22).

Do you have this wonderful hope, security and experience?

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®),
copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.