How do you view God? When are you most filled with awe and wonder towards Him? I find cathedrals and nature often heighten my sense of His Sovereignty.

As we explored in part one, Psalm 33 emphasizes the importance of praising and trusting in God. Another of its dimensions is its high view of God – a sense of awe pervades every verse.

Read Part One 

Deep, deep as the deepest sea

God ‘gathers the waters of the sea into jars’ and ‘thwarts the purposes of the peoples’ but His plans ‘stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations.’ (v.7, 10-11).

The ocean is over seven miles deep in some areas. Can you imagine that? You might have sung a song when you were younger with the line ‘Deep, deep as the deepest sea is my Saviour’s love’. Whilst things might seem out of control, the psalmist says God’s purposes will prevail. Since He loves justice and is inherently good, we know that His purposes will be likewise.

Rather than pushing our agenda or worrying that we'll let God down in some way, we can be assured that God’s plans don’t change; the purposes of His heart stand firm through all generations. Therefore, we can ask ourselves whether we need to surrender a personal agenda that's not in line with God’s purposes. (cf Isaiah 46:10 ‘I say, “My purpose will stand and I will do all that I please.”') 

The power of a word

The psalm says, ‘By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,’ which seems to mean both Jesus as the Word and God literally speaking (cf John 1:1). As we know, speaking words aloud is powerful and can have a constitutive effect; yet this is an incomprehensible level of power! In the words of one commentator, 'What cannot that power do which with a word made a world?' (Matthew Henry Commentary)

Incomparable

'No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength' (v.16).

All that humans consider to be strong is nothing compared to the Lord. We might rely on or even be intimated by money, nuclear weapons, bullet proof vests…but let's remember there's a much greater strength on our side (cf 1 Cor 1:25).

Deliverer 

'The eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death, and keep them alive in famine' (v.18-19).

This verse isn't easy to understand...what about Christians who die prematurely or starve? Does it mean eternal death, without God, as opposed to eternal life? Does it mean spiritual famine? What is obvious is that God has the power to save.

Ultimately, the psalm affirms the Sovereignty of God, encouraging us to praise and trust Him because, in the words of another psalm, 'power belongs to you, God, and with you, Lord, is unfailing love' (Ps 62:11-12).

How do you think we can maintain a sense of God's sovereignty?

How do you understand verses 18-19 which say God will keep His people alive in famine?

Resources: Matthew Henry Commentary