What does Psalm 33:20 mean?
ESV: Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.
NIV: We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.
NASB: Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.
CSB: We wait for the Lord; he is our help and shield.
NLT: We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield.
KJV: Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield.
NKJV: Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.
Verse Commentary:
One of the ways we demonstrate faith in God is by "waiting on" Him. Those who can truthfully speak the words of this verse have learned several good reasons to wait on the Lord. They know He is faithful and will not disappoint them. Their hope in Him is firm. They trust God as their advocate and ultimate defense. Hebrews 4:16 directs believers to approach God with confidence, knowing He offers us patient mercy. Likewise, God is a protector to those who trust Him. Even if earthly struggles are overwhelming, nothing can eternally defeat those whose shield is the Lord (John 16:33)!
God's schedule does not always match ours. We prefer immediate answers to prayer, but the Lord is never in a rush. He is not obligated to respond immediately, but He has promised He will answer, "in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). Literally "waiting" for the Lord to send us an answer teaches us to depend on Him, as well as grows our patience and trust.
Verse Context:
Psalm 33:20–22 completes David's song with an expression of faith in the Lord. The congregation and choir, having recounted the many reasons to praise the Lord, confess their peace, hope, and trust in God. They ask Him to place His steadfast love upon them.
Chapter Summary:
David summons the worshipers of Israel to be joyful as they praise God. The psalm celebrates God's creative power, sovereignty, and faithfulness. Rather than relying on earthly strength, the Lord's people can trust in His omnipotent power. This results in a collective praise for God and His unfailing love for those who trust and hope in Him.
Chapter Context:
The Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, attributes this psalm to David. It is a psalm that encourages worshipers to praise the Lord. It may have been written after Israel experienced a victory over an enemy. Because the verbs in this psalm are plural, it features the worship leader's call to worship and the worshipers' response.
Book Summary:
The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.
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