King James Version
Psalms 33
22 verses with commentary
The Steadfast Love of the Lord
Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
Psalm 33 opens with urgent imperative: <strong>'Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous'</strong>. The Hebrew <em>rannenu</em> (rejoice, sing) suggests joyful exultation rising spontaneously from hearts overwhelmed by God's goodness. This isn't manufactured enthusiasm but organic response to divine character and action. The address to the righteous (<em>tzaddiqim</em>)—those justified by faith—indicat...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(1) **Rejoice.**—A common hymnic word, meaning properly to “shout,” or “sing for joy.”
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
7. (See on Job 38:3). Since Job has not only spoken against God, but accused Him of injustice, God challenges him to try, could he govern the world, as God by His power doth, and punish the proud and wicked (Job 40:7-14).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 33
Chapter Outline
Elihu offers to reason with Job.(1-7)
Elihu blames Job for reflecting upon God.(8-13)
God calls men to repentance.(14-18)
God sends afflictions for good.(19-28)
Elihu entreats Job's attention.(29-33)
**Verses 1-7**
Job had desired a judge to decide his appeal. Elihu was one according to his wish, a man like himself. If we would rightly convi...
Read full commentary →Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.</strong> Following call to rejoice and praise (v. 1), David specifies musical instruments to accompany worship. This establishes that all of life's created gifts—including artistic skill and musical instruments—should be consecrated to God's glory, demonstrating worship engages beauty and creativit...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **Harp.**—Heb., *khinnôr *(LXX. and Vulg., “cithara”), most probably a trigon or three-cornered harp, such as may be seen sculptured in Egyptian bas-reliefs. The number of strings probably varied, as different accounts are given. (See *Bible Educator, *1:19.)
**With the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.**—Properly, as LXX. and Vulg., “with the ten-stringed psaltery.” (See 1Samuel 10:5...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
8. Wilt thou not only contend with, but set aside My judgment or justice in the government of the world?
**condemn--**declare Me unrighteous, in order that thou mayest be accounted righteous (innocent; undeservingly afflicted).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 33
Chapter Outline
Elihu offers to reason with Job.(1-7)
Elihu blames Job for reflecting upon God.(8-13)
God calls men to repentance.(14-18)
God sends afflictions for good.(19-28)
Elihu entreats Job's attention.(29-33)
**Verses 1-7**
Job had desired a judge to decide his appeal. Elihu was one according to his wish, a man like himself. If we would rightly convi...
Read full commentary →Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.</strong> David calls for fresh musical expression combined with both technical excellence and joyful volume. This establishes worship should be simultaneously new (creative), skilful (excellent), and exuberant (loud), challenging reductionistic approaches emphasizing one dimension while neglecting others.<br><br>Sing unto him a ne...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **A new song.**—This expression occurs in Psalm 96:1; Psalm 98:1; Psalm 149:1; Isaiah 42:10; Judith 16:13, and was adopted in Revelation 5:9; Revelation 14:3. The term apparently marked the revival of national psalmody after the Captivity. “Behold, the former things are come to pass, and *new *things do I declare **. . .** Sing unto the Lord a new song” (Isaiah 42:9-10).
**Play skilfully with ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**9. arm--**God's omnipotence (Is 53:1).
**thunder--**God's voice (Job 37:4).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 33
Chapter Outline
Elihu offers to reason with Job.(1-7)
Elihu blames Job for reflecting upon God.(8-13)
God calls men to repentance.(14-18)
God sends afflictions for good.(19-28)
Elihu entreats Job's attention.(29-33)
**Verses 1-7**
Job had desired a judge to decide his appeal. Elihu was one according to his wish, a man like himself. If we would rightly convi...
Read full commentary →For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.</strong> David transitions from worship commands to theological foundation, explaining why God deserves such praise. This establishes God's perfect righteousness in revelation (His word) and action (His works), providing rational basis for exuberant worship. True praise flows from accurate theology.<br><br>For signals ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **Right.**—The first inspiring cause of praise for a faithful Israelite is the righteousness of the God of the Covenant. But the pregnant expression, “word of Jehovah,” naturally leads him on from the thought of its *truth *to the thought of its *power, *and in Psalm 33:6-7 we have praise of the creative act of the Almighty.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
10. See, hast thou power and majesty like God's, to enable thee to judge and govern the world?
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 33
Chapter Outline
Elihu offers to reason with Job.(1-7)
Elihu blames Job for reflecting upon God.(8-13)
God calls men to repentance.(14-18)
God sends afflictions for good.(19-28)
Elihu entreats Job's attention.(29-33)
**Verses 1-7**
Job had desired a judge to decide his appeal. Elihu was one according to his wish, a man like himself. If we would rightly convi...
Read full commentary →He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. goodness: or, mercy
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.</strong> David declares two aspects of God's character—His love for moral perfection and His generous kindness throughout creation. This balances God's justice with His mercy, His moral demands with His gracious provision, establishing that true theology holds both in tension without collapsing either into...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11. rage--**rather, pour out the redundant floods of, &c.
**behold--**Try, canst thou, as God, by a mere glance abase the proud (Is 2:12, &c.)?
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 33
Chapter Outline
Elihu offers to reason with Job.(1-7)
Elihu blames Job for reflecting upon God.(8-13)
God calls men to repentance.(14-18)
God sends afflictions for good.(19-28)
Elihu entreats Job's attention.(29-33)
**Verses 1-7**
Job had desired a judge to decide his appeal. Elihu was one according to his wish, a man like himself. If we would rightly convi...
Read full commentary →By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
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KJV Study Commentary
This majestic verse celebrates creation's grandeur and simplicity. <strong>'By the word of the LORD were the heavens made'</strong> asserts divine speech as creation's instrument. The Hebrew <em>dabar Yahweh</em> (word of the LORD) indicates God's powerful, effective utterance—word that accomplishes what it declares. Genesis 1 repeatedly records 'And God said... and it was so'—ten creative fiats b...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **The breath of his mouth.**—This is plainly only a synonym for *word. *(Comp. Isaiah 11:4, where “breath of his lips” is used for the Divine sentence of judgment upon the heathen.)
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**12. proud--**high (Da 4:37).
**in their place--**on the spot; suddenly, before they can move from their place. (See on Job 34:26; Job 36:20).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 33
Chapter Outline
Elihu offers to reason with Job.(1-7)
Elihu blames Job for reflecting upon God.(8-13)
God calls men to repentance.(14-18)
God sends afflictions for good.(19-28)
Elihu entreats Job's attention.(29-33)
**Verses 1-7**
Job had desired a judge to decide his appeal. Elihu was one according to his wish, a man like himself. If we would rightly convi...
Read full commentary →He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.</strong> David celebrates God's sovereign control over creation, specifically His power over waters—gathering seas into heaps and storing ocean depths. This demonstrates divine omnipotence and providential governance over nature's most powerful, chaotic elements.<br><br>He gathereth the waters of...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) **As an heap.**—The image explains itself (so we speak of waves “mountains high “) without reference to the passage either of the Red Sea or the Jordan. Still less is there a comparison to *heaps of corn, *some think, since *storehouses *in the next clause are not necessarily *barns, *but *reservoirs. *But the LXX., Vulg., and all ancient interpreters read *nôd *(“a skin”), instead of *nêd *(“...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
13. (Is 2:10). Abase and remove them out of the sight of men.
**bind ... faces--**that is, shut up their persons [Maurer]. But it refers rather to the custom of binding a cloth over the faces of persons about to be executed (Job 9:24; Es 7:8).
**in secret--**consign them to darkness.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 33
Chapter Outline
Elihu offers to reason with Job.(1-7)
Elihu blames Job for reflecting upon God.(8-13)
God calls men to repentance.(14-18)
God sends afflictions for good.(19-28)
Elihu entreats Job's attention.(29-33)
**Verses 1-7**
Job had desired a judge to decide his appeal. Elihu was one according to his wish, a man like himself. If we would rightly convi...
Read full commentary →Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
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KJV Study Commentary
Following the description of creation by God's word, this verse issues appropriate response: <strong>'Let all the earth fear the LORD'</strong>. The imperative <em>yir'u</em> (fear) indicates reverent awe, not terror—appropriate response to sovereign Creator. This fear combines worship, obedience, and humble submission. Proverbs 9:10 declares, 'The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.' Cre...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**14. confess--**rather, "extol"; "I also," who now censure thee. But since thou canst not do these works, thou must, instead of censuring, extol My government.
**thine own ... hand ... save--**(Psa 44:3). So as to eternal salvation by Jesus Christ (Is 59:16; 63:5).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-13**
Elihu charges Job with reflecting upon the justice and goodness of God. When we hear any thing said to God's dishonour, we ought to bear our testimony against it. Job had represented God as severe in marking what he did amiss. Elihu urges that he had spoken wrong, and that he ought to humble himself before God, and by repentance to unsay it. God is not accountable to us. It is ...
Read full commentary →For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.</strong> David declares God's creative power—His mere word brings reality into existence instantly and establishes it permanently. This verse affirms ex nihilo creation and divine sovereignty through simple, elegant parallelism.<br><br>For he spake, and it was done (Hebrew 'amar—say, speak; hayah—be, become) points to Genesis ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
15-24. God shows that if Job cannot bring under control the lower animals (of which he selects the two most striking, behemoth on land, leviathan in the water), much less is he capable of governing the world.
**behemoth--**The description in part agrees with the hippopotamus, in part with the elephant, but exactly in all details with neither. It is rather a poetical personification of the great ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-13**
Elihu charges Job with reflecting upon the justice and goodness of God. When we hear any thing said to God's dishonour, we ought to bear our testimony against it. Job had represented God as severe in marking what he did amiss. Elihu urges that he had spoken wrong, and that he ought to humble himself before God, and by repentance to unsay it. God is not accountable to us. It is ...
Read full commentary →The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. bringeth: Heb. maketh frustrate
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.</strong> David contrasts human planning with divine sovereignty—God frustrates nations' schemes and nullifies peoples' devices. This establishes that no human counsel succeeds against God's purposes, providing both warning and comfort.<br><br>The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heat...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **The Lord bringeth.**—The thought now passes on to the irresistible rule of Jehovah. His counsel stands for all generations, and being *righteous *as well as *eternal, *frustrates the counsel and thoughts of the heathen, while His chosen people (Psalm 33:12) rest in stable peace under the Theocracy. (Comp. Acts 5:38.) The word *devices *in Psalm 33:10 should be *thoughts, *as in Psalm 33:11,...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
15-24. God shows that if Job cannot bring under control the lower animals (of which he selects the two most striking, behemoth on land, leviathan in the water), much less is he capable of governing the world.
**behemoth--**The description in part agrees with the hippopotamus, in part with the elephant, but exactly in all details with neither. It is rather a poetical personification of the great ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-13**
Elihu charges Job with reflecting upon the justice and goodness of God. When we hear any thing said to God's dishonour, we ought to bear our testimony against it. Job had represented God as severe in marking what he did amiss. Elihu urges that he had spoken wrong, and that he ought to humble himself before God, and by repentance to unsay it. God is not accountable to us. It is ...
Read full commentary →The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. to all: Heb. to generation and generation
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.</strong> David contrasts unstable human planning (v. 10) with God's immutable purposes. Divine counsel endures eternally; God's intentions span all generations unchangingly. This establishes God's eternal decrees as foundation for history and source of believers' security.<br><br>The counsel of the LOR...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
15-24. God shows that if Job cannot bring under control the lower animals (of which he selects the two most striking, behemoth on land, leviathan in the water), much less is he capable of governing the world.
**behemoth--**The description in part agrees with the hippopotamus, in part with the elephant, but exactly in all details with neither. It is rather a poetical personification of the great ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-13**
Elihu charges Job with reflecting upon the justice and goodness of God. When we hear any thing said to God's dishonour, we ought to bear our testimony against it. Job had represented God as severe in marking what he did amiss. Elihu urges that he had spoken wrong, and that he ought to humble himself before God, and by repentance to unsay it. God is not accountable to us. It is ...
Read full commentary →Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
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KJV Study Commentary
This verse pronounces blessing on the nation chosen by God: <strong>'Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD'</strong>. The Hebrew <em>ashre</em> (blessed, happy) indicates deep flourishing and wellbeing. The defining characteristic is theological—their God is Yahweh. Not wealth, military strength, or cultural achievement, but covenant relationship with the true God brings genuine national ble...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
15-24. God shows that if Job cannot bring under control the lower animals (of which he selects the two most striking, behemoth on land, leviathan in the water), much less is he capable of governing the world.
**behemoth--**The description in part agrees with the hippopotamus, in part with the elephant, but exactly in all details with neither. It is rather a poetical personification of the great ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-22**
All the motions and operations of the souls of men, which no mortals know but themselves, God knows better than they do. Their hearts, as well as their times, are all in his hand; he formed the spirit of each man within him. All the powers of the creature depend upon him, and are of no account, of no avail at all, without him. If we make God's favour sure towards us, then we n...
Read full commentary →The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.</strong> David shifts from God's sovereign counsel (vv. 10-11) to His comprehensive knowledge—God sees all humanity from His heavenly throne. This establishes divine omniscience as both comfort (for righteous) and warning (for wicked).<br><br>The LORD looketh from heaven (Hebrew nabat—look, regard, see; shamayim—heaven, heaven...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
15-24. God shows that if Job cannot bring under control the lower animals (of which he selects the two most striking, behemoth on land, leviathan in the water), much less is he capable of governing the world.
**behemoth--**The description in part agrees with the hippopotamus, in part with the elephant, but exactly in all details with neither. It is rather a poetical personification of the great ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-22**
All the motions and operations of the souls of men, which no mortals know but themselves, God knows better than they do. Their hearts, as well as their times, are all in his hand; he formed the spirit of each man within him. All the powers of the creature depend upon him, and are of no account, of no avail at all, without him. If we make God's favour sure towards us, then we n...
Read full commentary →From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.</strong> David continues theme of divine omniscience (v. 13), emphasizing that God's comprehensive vision extends from His dwelling place to all earth's inhabitants. This establishes God's universal sovereignty and knowledge.<br><br>From the place of his habitation (Hebrew makon shivto—fixed place of dwellin...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
15-24. God shows that if Job cannot bring under control the lower animals (of which he selects the two most striking, behemoth on land, leviathan in the water), much less is he capable of governing the world.
**behemoth--**The description in part agrees with the hippopotamus, in part with the elephant, but exactly in all details with neither. It is rather a poetical personification of the great ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-22**
All the motions and operations of the souls of men, which no mortals know but themselves, God knows better than they do. Their hearts, as well as their times, are all in his hand; he formed the spirit of each man within him. All the powers of the creature depend upon him, and are of no account, of no avail at all, without him. If we make God's favour sure towards us, then we n...
Read full commentary →He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.</strong> David concludes theme of divine omniscience by affirming God's unique understanding—He made all hearts and therefore comprehends all actions. This establishes Creator's prerogative knowledge of His creatures.<br><br>He fashioneth their hearts alike (Hebrew yatsar—form, fashion, mold; leb—heart, inner being; yachad—t...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(15) **He fashioneth.**—Better,
“Moulding their hearts for all,
Observing all their deeds.”
The Hebrew word rendered “fashion” is that used of a potter moulding clay.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
15-24. God shows that if Job cannot bring under control the lower animals (of which he selects the two most striking, behemoth on land, leviathan in the water), much less is he capable of governing the world.
**behemoth--**The description in part agrees with the hippopotamus, in part with the elephant, but exactly in all details with neither. It is rather a poetical personification of the great ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-22**
All the motions and operations of the souls of men, which no mortals know but themselves, God knows better than they do. Their hearts, as well as their times, are all in his hand; he formed the spirit of each man within him. All the powers of the creature depend upon him, and are of no account, of no avail at all, without him. If we make God's favour sure towards us, then we n...
Read full commentary →There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.</strong> David declares that military power doesn't secure salvation—neither king's armies nor warrior's strength provide true deliverance. This begins series (vv. 16-17) dismantling false securities, establishing that only God saves.<br><br>There is no king saved by the multitude of an host...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(16) **There is no king.**—Better, The king doth not triumph by the greatness of his force.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
15-24. God shows that if Job cannot bring under control the lower animals (of which he selects the two most striking, behemoth on land, leviathan in the water), much less is he capable of governing the world.
**behemoth--**The description in part agrees with the hippopotamus, in part with the elephant, but exactly in all details with neither. It is rather a poetical personification of the great ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-22**
All the motions and operations of the souls of men, which no mortals know but themselves, God knows better than they do. Their hearts, as well as their times, are all in his hand; he formed the spirit of each man within him. All the powers of the creature depend upon him, and are of no account, of no avail at all, without him. If we make God's favour sure towards us, then we n...
Read full commentary →An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.</strong> Continuing from v. 16, David specifically addresses trust in war horses—ancient world's supreme military technology. Even elite cavalry cannot provide true salvation; great strength proves vain. This further dismantles military confidence, preparing for positive declaration of true security (v...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(17*)* **Safety.**—Better, *victory. *(Comp. Habakkuk 3:8.) The allusion is to the war-horse.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
15-24. God shows that if Job cannot bring under control the lower animals (of which he selects the two most striking, behemoth on land, leviathan in the water), much less is he capable of governing the world.
**behemoth--**The description in part agrees with the hippopotamus, in part with the elephant, but exactly in all details with neither. It is rather a poetical personification of the great ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-22**
All the motions and operations of the souls of men, which no mortals know but themselves, God knows better than they do. Their hearts, as well as their times, are all in his hand; he formed the spirit of each man within him. All the powers of the creature depend upon him, and are of no account, of no avail at all, without him. If we make God's favour sure towards us, then we n...
Read full commentary →Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
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KJV Study Commentary
This verse celebrates divine attentiveness to faithful worshipers: <strong>'Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him'</strong>. The imperative <em>hinneh</em> (behold) demands attention—this is crucial truth. The <em>eye of the LORD</em> metaphor indicates God's watchful care, continuous awareness, and protective oversight. Proverbs 15:3 states, 'The eyes of the LORD are in every pla...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
15-24. God shows that if Job cannot bring under control the lower animals (of which he selects the two most striking, behemoth on land, leviathan in the water), much less is he capable of governing the world.
**behemoth--**The description in part agrees with the hippopotamus, in part with the elephant, but exactly in all details with neither. It is rather a poetical personification of the great ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-22**
All the motions and operations of the souls of men, which no mortals know but themselves, God knows better than they do. Their hearts, as well as their times, are all in his hand; he formed the spirit of each man within him. All the powers of the creature depend upon him, and are of no account, of no avail at all, without him. If we make God's favour sure towards us, then we n...
Read full commentary →To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy.</strong> After dismantling false securities (vv. 16-17), David presents true security—God's attentive care for those who fear Him and hope in His mercy. This verse provides positive contrast to vain human confidences.<br><br>Behold introduces emphatic declaration—pay attention to what follows. After n...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-22**
All the motions and operations of the souls of men, which no mortals know but themselves, God knows better than they do. Their hearts, as well as their times, are all in his hand; he formed the spirit of each man within him. All the powers of the creature depend upon him, and are of no account, of no avail at all, without him. If we make God's favour sure towards us, then we n...
Read full commentary →Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.
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KJV Study Commentary
This verse articulates corporate testimony of faithful community: <strong>'Our soul waiteth for the LORD'</strong>. The Hebrew <em>nefesh</em> (soul, life, innermost being) indicates total personal investment. The verb <em>chakah</em> (wait, look for, hope) suggests patient expectation—not passive resignation but active anticipation. The singular 'soul' despite plural 'our' indicates corporate uni...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(20-22) **Hope**—**wait**—**trust.**—The Hebrew language was naturally rich in words expressive of that attitude of expectancy which was characteristic of a nation whose golden age was not in the past, but in the future—a nation for which its great ancestor left in his dying words so suitable a motto—
“I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord,”
and which, while itself held back outside the promised...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
CHAPTER 41
Job 41:1-34.
**1. leviathan--**literally, "the twisted animal," gathering itself in folds: a synonym to the Thannin (Job 3:8, Margin; see Psa 74:14; type of the Egyptian tyrant; Psa 104:26; Is 27:1; the Babylon tyrant). A poetical generalization for all cetacean, serpentine, and saurian monsters (see on Job 40:15, hence all the description applies to no one animal); especially the c...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-22**
All the motions and operations of the souls of men, which no mortals know but themselves, God knows better than they do. Their hearts, as well as their times, are all in his hand; he formed the spirit of each man within him. All the powers of the creature depend upon him, and are of no account, of no avail at all, without him. If we make God's favour sure towards us, then we n...
Read full commentary →For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.</strong> David declares the result of trusting God—heart-level joy rooted in confidence in God's character. This connects inner emotional state (rejoice) with volitional faith (trusted) grounded in divine revelation (His holy name).<br><br>For our heart shall rejoice in him provides cause and effect. Because God'...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**2. hook--**rather, "a rope of rushes."
**thorn--**rather, a "ring" or "hook." So wild beasts were led about when caught (Is 37:29; Eze 29:4); fishes also were secured thus and thrown into the water to keep them alive.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-22**
All the motions and operations of the souls of men, which no mortals know but themselves, God knows better than they do. Their hearts, as well as their times, are all in his hand; he formed the spirit of each man within him. All the powers of the creature depend upon him, and are of no account, of no avail at all, without him. If we make God's favour sure towards us, then we n...
Read full commentary →Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.
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KJV Study Commentary
The psalm concludes with prayer request based on preceding theology: <strong>'Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us'</strong>. This is petition, not presumption—requesting what God has promised. The <em>chesed</em> (mercy, lovingkindness, covenant loyalty) is God's faithful love that never fails. Lamentations 3:22-23 celebrates, 'It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compas...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**3. soft words--**that thou mayest spare his life. No: he is untamable.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-22**
All the motions and operations of the souls of men, which no mortals know but themselves, God knows better than they do. Their hearts, as well as their times, are all in his hand; he formed the spirit of each man within him. All the powers of the creature depend upon him, and are of no account, of no avail at all, without him. If we make God's favour sure towards us, then we n...
Read full commentary →