Psalm 33

Read Psalm 33 ESV

Who - Unstated, no indication who wrote this psalm.  The psalmist is speaking to the people; he ends with a request to the LORD.

What - This is a psalm of praise and reminder of God’s steadfast love.  The psalmist tells us of God's power over all things, His goodness to those He loves and God's deliverance of His people in times of distress.

When - Unstated. However, the wording indicates a time of national distress such as an attack from a powerful enemy (vs 10, 16 and 17) or a famine (vs 19).

Where - unstated

Why - The psalmist seems to want his hearers to remember God’s steadfast love for them and the promises that come with God’s steadfast love, so they will take hope in the LORD and his deliverance from their situation.  

How - The psalmist calls his hearers to praise God with music and singing, because of God's faithfulness and steadfast love (vs 1–5).  The psalmist reminds his hearers of the LORD’s power by speaking creation into existence, controlling the weather, rain specifically (vs 6–9).  He reminds us of the LORD’s power and authority over the nations and their plans, as well as the supremacy of the LORD’s plans that no one can thwart (vs 10–17).  The psalmist now draws attention to the LORD’s deliverance of those He loves (vs 18 & 19).  The psalmist gives his call to action in vs 20-22.  He calls us to hope in the LORD because we trust in His holy name. Then the psalmist calls on the LORD to act by letting his steadfast love be upon us.

So What 

1. In times of distress we can remember the LORD’S steadfast love, praise Him and have hope in Him.  If the occasion of this psalm was a time of national distress, then we see that praise is given to the LORD even when trouble has come.  The reason we can praise the LORD in times of trouble is He is faithful and righteous in all His works.  
2. Remember nothing and no one can thwart the LORD’s plans.  When we are in times of distress they are ultimately by the LORD’S hand.  He has either sent it or allowed it.  Either way He is carrying out His plan and this trouble is part of it.   
3. Because of the above we can trust in what the LORD is doing.  The psalmist clearly says the LORD is faithful, righteous and just (vs 4).  Abraham affirms this when he and the LORD are discussing Sodom and Gomorrah in Gen 18, “Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?” (Gen 18:25)  An all powerful god does not deserve trust, but an all powerful God that is faithful, righteous, and just does.  All of this is not just theoretical for me, it is a very real practice.  As I type these words I am experiencing intense back pain and physical limitations from a back injury that will probably require surgery.  This comes at a time when I do not have a steady income and I am in the early process of starting a church.  Humanly speaking I cannot afford the “down” time at this stage of the process.    However, the LORD’s sovereignty combined with his steadfast love and goodness, tell my human heart and anxious mind he is worthy of praise and to hope in Him right now.