Psalm 33:21 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.

NIV: In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.

NASB: For our heart rejoices in Him, Because we trust in His holy name.

CSB: For our hearts rejoice in him because we trust in his holy name.

NLT: In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.

KJV: For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.

NKJV: For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name.

Since the people of the congregation (Psalm 33:1–3) trust God for guidance and protection (Psalm 33:18–20), they can truly rejoice. Their hearts are glad in Him. Psalm 33 began an appeal for believers to shout for joy in the Lord. It ends with worshipers rejoicing in Him.

Worship should include heartfelt joy. Proper reflection on the Lord's character and deeds increases the believer's joy. Most often, happiness occurs because of happy circumstances. No one is expected to be "happy" when they are persecuted or suffering. But even then, a believer can experience "joy." In a biblical context, joy stems from knowing the Lord is loving, faithful, and gracious. Our joy is linked to our trust in God, specifically our trust in His "name," referring to who He is in character and actions. Even trials cannot erase joy in the Lord.

In his letter to the Philippians the apostle Paul alludes often to his rejoicing in the Lord. Although he was chained to prison guards around the clock, he was more intricately linked to the Lord by faith. He found may reasons to be joyful despite his circumstances (Philippians 1:7, 12–18; 2:17–18; 3:1; 4:4–8). Jesus promised His disciples, "Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full" (John 16:24).

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.

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.

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.