As I prayed the Psalms today, I also read my notes from past years of study. The timelessness of Torah and its applicability in every generation has long fascinated me, so I wasn’t surprised that Psalm 33 is still relevant to the situation going on in the world today.

My translation of verse one starts “Rejoice in ADONAI . . .” but a slightly better translation would be “Shout for joy . . .” because the Hebrew behind the English expresses a sense of awe and crying out. Strangely, the same Hebrew word can be used to convey grief and to shine, as in stars, a lamp, or Lucifer. So, the verse begs the question: for whom are you shining?

Side Note: Hebrew is an amazing, multi-layered language that speaks Adonai’s truth from the very letters that comprise the words, so if you haven’t already learned Hebrew, do yourself the favor and start now.

Verse two begins with “Praise . . .” and most people understand that concept to some degree. The mistake that is often made is believing that we are conducting praise by simply saying, “Praise the Lord.” But that is only the command, not the action.

Praise comes from the Hebrew halal, to reflect, thus when we praise God, we reflect back to Him all that he has given us, and we rehearse His attributes while expressing gratitude.

In verse three, we read the first use of the word song, shir in Hebrew, in the body of a Psalm. The word also means poem, which doesn’t surprise me because the rhythm of a poem lends to its musicality and is similar to how song lyrics are constructed. Try singing the Psalms and reading song lyrics. The exercise is quite satisfying and lends new insights to both.

At the end of verse three, “shouts of joy” are mentioned, and the Hebrew word teruah, loud shouts, is employed. This pointed me directly to Yom Teruah, but that’s subject matter for another post. Feel free to investigate!

Verse four answers the question of why a believer sings. I’m going to present a better translation of the verse than what I have. “For the word of ADONAI is upright/straight, and all His works are faithfulness.” I know the last word doesn’t read very smoothly, but it will help make my point.

Torah, i.e., the “word of ADONAI” is the straightest path you will ever walk in your life. That is a fact, and it will never change. The beauty of verse four is the Hebrew word emunah, often translated as faith, but a better translation would be faithfulness. Faith is an intellectual exercise, but it needs to get out of our head and become something we do. Faithfulness is the structuring of our lives in such a way that what we do reflects what we believe. My point is that HaShem’s works are how He structured everything for us via His word, i.e., Torah. He did it for us, He is doing it for us, and He will do it for us.

In verse five, we read a stunning example of the balance God presents to us. “He loves righteousness and justice . . .” The Hebrew, tzedakah, is what is translated as righteousness, knowing right principles. Mishpat, the Hebrew behind justice, speaks to the application. Again, we see a dual process that requires thought and action, and that requires balance, which is foundational to our lives.

The end of verse five mentions how the earth is full of Adonai’s grace. You may safely read that as “and always has been.” Grace did not begin with HaMashiach’s appearance. HaShem’s grace is all over the Tanakh.

Verses six and seven are beautiful words of praise to God, but a breakdown of seven reveals another incredible example of the balance Adonai wants for humanity. We read imagery of HaShem collecting “the sea waters together in a heap,” which is a reference to oceans and lakes. That’s a very physical image.

But then we read “He puts the deeps in storehouses.” That would be clouds, which are a picture of the spiritual. Think about clouds: they’re beyond our reach unless we make considerable effort. In other words, you don’t walk outside, jump up, and touch clouds. You can, however, fly through them, and sometimes, they come down to us as fog and mist.

The point that’s being made by the picture is one of ebb and flow. Oceans and lakes evaporate and go up into the clouds. Clouds store the water until it returns to earth as rain, snow, etc. It’s cyclical, balanced, and exactly how we should be in relation to Adonai.

The words of verse eight, “Let all the earth fear ADONAI!” will trip up many people. It’s not fear in the same sense of being afraid of physical harm or frightened by something scary. Rather, it’s a respectful awe that should affect our behavior because we don’t want to disappoint God, the ultimate example of a great parent.

“ADONAI brings to nothing the counsel/plans of the nations, He foils the plans/thoughts of the peoples.” So reads verse ten, and from this I take great comfort that Israel will never be moved by all the wicked schemes of those who brazenly reached out their hands to touch the throne of Adonai. To have the audacity to poke their finger in the pupil of His eye.

Verse eleven reminds us again that ADONAI is eternal, beyond space and time. Verse twelve reassures us that Israel is secure. Thirteen through fifteen remind us that, like a good parent, Hashem always has His eyes on us. Disregard that truth at your own peril.

There are subtle questions in verses sixteen and seventeen. In whom or what do you place your faith? Whether or not you know it and accept it, you are a warrior. How are you conducting battle every moment of your life? What is the source of your strength? How do you process the victories and defeats? The questions are for Israel and for every individual across the world.

In verse eighteen, we are gently directed back to verse eight as a reminder. “ADONAI’S eyes watch over those who fear Him . . .” means that He will provide us with guidance because we’re waiting for His grace. (There’s that word again! I cannot stress enough that grace is not a new concept.)

Within verse nineteen is the promise of deliverance for our souls from death. Some translations render that as “rescue them from death,” but that leads many to believe they’ll never suffer anything that leads to death thus making them actually fear death when trials and tribulations come. Read this verse through the lens of salvation for your soul because—NEWS FLASH—everyone dies.

Everyone up to this point, including believers, has died. It is forbidden to fear death (or anything), and we’re told as much when Scripture repeatedly tells us to “fear not” and fear only Adonai. It’s a difficult concept to embrace, but it is extremely liberating when you finally do. In fact, you’ll enjoy life to its fullest once you wrap your brain around this truth.

The last line about famine intrigues me considering the first part of the verse, which speaks about death. Literally, physically, famine can lead to death. Read the verse with spiritual food in mind, and although our bodies may perish, our souls will forever be fed if we know where to go to receive the food and actually do so! In that way, famine will never touch you.

The most beautiful conclusion, and yet not an ending but rather a jumping off point, is written in verses twenty through twenty-two. Actively waiting for ADONAI should be the exercise of all Israel. God knows Israel needs Him right now more than ever. My prayer is that all Israel will come to know this. I pray all humanity will as well.

True joy, and true shalom as well, resides in our hearts “because we trust in His holy name.” Again, that’s not just head-faith and/or believing that God exists. In the Hebrew mindset, a person’s name is his character, and the same is true of Adonai. It means we’re to believe in who He is based on what He does. The being and doing are the same and in perfect balance. ADONAI is His name/character, not just what He’s called.

To experience His mercy, put your hope in Him and Him alone. Look to the last three verses of Psalm 33 if you need help answering the questions in verses sixteen and seventeen.

Shalom aleichem!

PS – ADONAI in this essay represents God’s ineffable name, the Yod-the Hey-the Vav-the Hey.