Psalm 33 is the 33rd psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright". The Book of Psalms is part of the third section of the Hebrew Bible, and a book of the Christian Old Testament. In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 32. In Latin, it is known by the incipit, "Exultate iusti in Domino". Its purpose is to praise "the Sovereignty of the Lord in Creation and History". Psalm 33 is used in both Jewish and Christian liturgies. It has been set to music.

Text

Hebrew

The following table shows the Hebrew text of the Psalm with vowels alongside an English translation based upon the JPS 1917 translation (now in the public domain).

King James Version

Verse 7

Alternatively, "as a heap" may be read as "in a vessel", or "in a wineskin".

Content

In the International Critical Commentary series, Charles and Emilie Briggs described it as follows: "Ps. 33 is a song of praise. (1) A call to worship in the temple with song, music, and shouting (v.1–3), because of the righteousness and kindness of Yahweh (v.4–5). (2) All mankind are called to fear Yahweh, the creator of all things, and disposer of all nations (v.6–10). (3) Yahweh from His heavenly throne inspects all mankind (v.13–15); and victory is not due to armies or warriors (v.16–17). (4) He delivereth those who fear Him (v.18–19); therefore his people long for Him, are glad in him, and trust in His name for victory (v.20–22). A gloss praises the plans of Yahweh as everlastingly secure, and also the happiness of His people (v.11–12)." Psalm 33 does not contain an ascription to any particular author in the Hebrew text, although the Septuagint ascribes it to David. Some manuscripts join it with Psalm 32. The Briggses suggest that it dates to the time of the Maccabees.

Uses

Judaism

New Testament

Verse 6, "By the word of the Lord the heavens were made", is alluded to in Hebrews 11:3: "By faith we know the universe was made by God's command".

Book of Common Prayer

In the Church of England's Book of Common Prayer, this psalm is appointed to be read on the evening of the sixth day of the month.

Musical settings

Heinrich Schütz wrote a setting of a paraphrase of the psalm in German, "Freut euch des Herrn, ihr Christen all", SWV 130, for the Becker Psalter, published first in 1628. Carl Loewe composed a setting in German for male a cappella choir, published in Dresden in 1845. Alan Hovhaness set portions of this psalm, along with Psalms 146 and 150, in his opus 222 Praise the Lord with Psaltery.