Psalm 33: Six Reasons to Praise God

By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. . . . For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. —Psalm 33:6, 9

The thirty-third psalm was written by David.

This psalm praises God for His marvelous attributes.

Praising God in song was as natural for David as breathing.

Read this psalm in its entirety, then meditate on its beauty of overlapping expressions. We should rejoice because God is truthful, righteous, good, and merciful (Psalm 33:1, 4, 5, 18, 22). These are the first reasons to praise God. These attributes are also stated in Psalms 25:10; 26:3; and 36:5, 6. Praise God because He is the Creator (Psalm 33:6).

By capitalizing “Word,” we glimpse another truth: Christ, the “Word” made flesh (John 1:1, 3), created all things, including the heavenly bodies. Christ spoke creation into existence ex nihilo—from nothing. Creation is truly amazing (Psalm 33:8)! Praise God because He is sovereign (vv. 10, 11). He reigns supreme and His judgments, based upon His law, are pure and right (v. 4). Praise God because He is omniscient and omnipresent (vv. 6, 10, 13, 14, 18).

He knows our joys and sorrows. “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye” (Psalm 32:8).

Praise God because He is omnipotent (Psalm 33:4, 6, 10, 13).

“The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty” (Psalm 29:4). Praise God because He is dependable (Psalm 33:10, 13, 16).

God will protect those who put their trust in Him. “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him” (Psalm 34:8).

These six reasons to praise the Lord only begin to reveal God’s character. “Praise the Lord, His glories show. . . . / Saints within His courts below.”