The outline of this hymn of praise is unmistakable: the call to praise (verses 1-3), the cause for praise (verses 4-19), and the conclusion (verses 20-22).
Creator sovereignly rules over His total creation, over all creatures throughout time.
I. A Praise Prelude (33:1-3).
II. The Rationale for Praise (33:4-5).
A. The LORD’s Sovereign Power in Natural History (33:4);
B. The LORD’s Sovereign Providence over Human History (33:5).
III. The Response of Praise (33:6-19).
A. The Creator’s Sovereign Power (33:6-9);
B. The Creator’s Sovereign Providence (33:10-19).
IV. A Prayer Finale (33:20-22).
Psalm 33:2 Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto Him with the psaltery [and] an instrument of ten strings.
Here for the first time, the psalmist mentions musical instruments, reflecting the Old Testament style of worship.
It is interesting to me that the harp is specifically mentioned as an instrument of praise here and in Revelation, as well.
The psaltery was a lyre.
The instrument of ten strings could be many different instruments, such as a guitar.
Psalm 33:3 Sing unto Him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise.
“A new song”:
I.e., a new occasion and impulse for expressing fresh praise to God (compare Psalms 96:1; 98:1; and 149:1).
Every “song” sung in worship can reflect moment-by-moment appreciation for the grace of God in one’s life.
Psalm 33:6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.
Psalm 33:9 For He spake, and it was [done]; He commanded, and it stood fast.
Rather, and it was.
The thing of which He spake at once existed.
Psalm 33:11 The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the
By which are meant, not the doctrines of the Gospel, nor the ordinances of it; though these will stand firm, and remain to the end of the world.
Psalm 33:14 From the place of His habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
"He looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth":
Good and bad.
Psalm 33:15 He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.
The Creator of all things fashioneth their hearts alike; the word, which signifies together at once, intimating that the hearts of all men though separated from one another by never so vast a gulf of time or place, are as exactly alike in respect of their original inclinations, as if they had been all molded at the same time. The worship of a God and then some kind of religion, is necessary to us, we cannot shift it off.
Psalm 33:22 Let Thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in Thee.
According as we hope in Thee; not according to any merits of theirs, but according to the measure of grace, of the grace of hope which God had bestowed on them, and encouraged them to exercise on Him, in expectation of finding grace and mercy with Him."
BooksOfTheBible/John Gill
