Psalm 33:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: from where he sits enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth,

NIV: from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth--

NASB: From His dwelling place He looks out On all the inhabitants of the earth,

CSB: He gazes on all the inhabitants of the earth from his dwelling place.

NLT: From his throne he observes all who live on the earth.

KJV: From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.

NKJV: From the place of His dwelling He looks On all the inhabitants of the earth;

During times of upheaval, distress, and calamity, individuals may ask, "Where is God?" This psalm answers the question by affirming that the Lord is on His throne, entirely aware of everything happening in all of creation. That the Lord is seated on His throne should reassure His people. He is fully in control of every situation. The word "looks" in this verse means to gaze intently. This is not a passive activity where God simply "notices" things—He is actively observing and invested in what He sees.

Christians should be encouraged to know the Lord watches what is happening to them. The apostle Peter, writing to persecuted and scattered Hebrew Christians, writes, "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer" (1 Peter 3:12; Psalm 34:15). First Peter 5:7 adds further encouragement by assuring us that God not only sees His children, but He also cares for them.

Psalm 33:4–19 records David's reasons to praise the Lord. They include praise for God's Word, His creative power, His sovereignty over the nations, His all-seeing vision, His faithful works, and His deliverance of His people.

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.

Accessed 5/1/2024 3:12:28 AM