Temple Baptist Church - 7-13-2025
Psalm 33
Introduction:
A. Last week, I preached for the 249th Birthday of the United States on verse 12 of this Psalm. “God Bless America.”
Psalms 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
B. God has blessed us all in so many ways that to count them would not be possible. The context of Psalm 33 is “Rejoicing in God’s Blessings.” Although I believe that we enjoy the blessings God has bestowed upon this great nation, I fear that we do not truly rejoice in the Lord for the blessings that we have.
C. We are admonished to “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4)
D. Verse 12 is one of the middle verses of this Psalm, as it has 22 verses. That being said, the context is on both sides of the verse! To understand what God is saying, we need to break down the Psalm.
1. Verses 1-3. The Command of worship.
a. Verse 1. The rejoicing of the Righteous. The unrighteous have no sense of gratitude for the many blessings of God, but the righteous understand that every good and perfect gift cometh down from the “Father of Lights.” “Comely” – suitable or beautiful.
Psalms 22:3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
b. Verses 2-3. Rejoicing in musical instruments: skillfully and loudly. This is not the modern “Praise Bands” playing worldly music. This is righteous music, not worldly music.
Ephesians 5:19-20 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; (20) Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
2. Verses 4-11. The Cause of Worship.
a. Verse 4. For the Word of God that we hold in our hands. I fear that the least used of all gifts from God is that of His precious Word.
b. Verse 5. The righteousness and goodness of the Lord. We often associate goodness with our possessions, and I am genuinely grateful for them. Brother Harold would frequently request the song “Count Your Blessings” because he knew that they were innumerable. God has been so good to us in many ways that are righteous, not simply worldly, eternal, and not simple temporal.
c. Verses 6-9. The glory of His creation. He spoke and it stood fast. It remains steadfast. “In all around, God I see!” By “THE BREATH OF HIS MOUTH!” The knowledge, the wisdom, the understanding, the power of an all-knowing, omnipotent Creator! His creation declares the glory of God; His creation shows His handiwork!
d. Verses 10-11. The Counsel of the Lord. As the psalmist reflects on the majesty of God’s creation and the deep reasons for worship, the imagery naturally leads us to consider the tender care and guidance that God provides to those who follow Him. This transition from acknowledging God’s power and righteousness to experiencing His personal leadership is beautifully captured in the next passages.
1. Verse 10. The Lord Overrules. Spiritual wisdom always “trumps” worldly wisdom. The counsel of this world may fail us, but the counsel of the Lord remaineth to all generations.
2. Verse 11. The Lord Oversees. The Lord watches over and guides His sheep. In the multitude of counselors, there is safety, but they will sometimes either fail you or not be enough. In the counsel of the Lord, there is righteousness and peace of heart and mind. Perfect leadership from our Great Shepherd.
Psalms 23:2-3 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. (3) He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
e. Verses 13-19. The Care of the Lord.
1. Verses 13-14. The Lord watches over our lives. This is an amazing thought that God cares about every aspect of our lives.
Psalms 40:17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
2. Verses 15. The Lord fashions our hearts. The transformation of our heart and soul through the “renewing” of our minds.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3. Verses 16-19. The Lord delivers in hard times. Barbara and I can personally testify that God has done exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ever ask of think!
Psalms 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
Philippians 4:19-20 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (20) Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
f. Verses 20-22. The Confidence in the Lord.
Psalms 118:8-9 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. (9) It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
Proverbs 3:25-26 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. (26) For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
1. Verse 20. Wait upon the Lord. God’s will, God’s time, God’s way!
Isaiah 40:29-31 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. (30) Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: (31) But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
2. Verse 21. Trust in the Lord. God knows what He is doing so learn to trust Him!
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (6) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
3. Verse 22. Hope in the Lord. The Lord is on our side in this world and one day, just like today, He is coming again to take us home.
Jeremiah 17:7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Psalms 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.