Psalm Category: Hymn of Praise

Central Thought: Psalm 33 provides us with a utopian vision. It reminds us that we too should believe in, anticipate, and help to bring about God’s perfect age to come.

Key Word: ëayin (v. 18). ëayin is translated in verse 18 as “eyes,” referring to the eyes of God. Obviously, this is anthropomorphic language. However, the psalmist chose this word to set forth a contrast between God’s providential care of this world and of His people. In verse 14 we learn that God “watches” all who live on earth, but His “eyes” are only focused on those who “fear him” (v. 18). The point of the psalmist is to comfort God’s people with the knowledge that God gives special attention and care to His people. He focuses His eyes solely on His church!

Psalm 33

One of the summer’s blockbuster films was War of the Worlds. This movie is based on H.G. Wells’ famous book. Wells was a utopian. He believed that humanity could create a perfect world through the union of science and the state. The 20th Century proved that Wells’ form of utopianism was both dangerous and misguided. However, Wells’ desire for a perfect world was not misguided. In fact, all Christians should be utopians.

Psalm 33 expresses a perfect world. This sense of perfection is even evidenced by its structure. Psalm 33 has 22 verses—the exact number of letters in the Hebrew alphabet. This psalm reveals the essence of biblical utopianism. It gives us three reasons why Christians can be optimistic.

Reason #1—The Character of God (vv. 4-5): Christians can be optimistic about the future because of God’s character. The psalmist informs us that God’s word is “right and true” and that “he is faithful in all he does” (v. 4). We can trust in God’s promises, confident that He is able to bring them to pass. God has promised us a new heaven and new earth, and Psalm 33 reminds us that this promise will surely come to pass.

The psalmist also tells us in verse 5 that God “loves righteousness and justice” and that the “earth is full of his unfailing love.” This reminds us that God will set everything right in this world. He will do justice and usher in a perfect world.

Reason #2—The Sovereignty of God (vv. 6-12): The psalmist reveals that God is sovereign over both creation (vv. 6-9) and history (vv. 10-12). He created all things by His word (v. 6); he spoke and all things came to be (v. 9). In addition, God knows and foils the plans of the nations (v. 10), while His plan cannot be stopped by man (v. 11). We live in a culture where people fear apocalyptic visions of being destroyed by creation or the plans of terrorists, but God tells us that both creation and history are subject to Him.

Reason #3—The Providence of God (vv. 13-19): Finally, Christians can be optimistic about the future because of God’s providence. The psalmist reveals that God is fully aware of everything in our world. In verses 14-15, we learn that God watches all men and considers everything they do. Furthermore, in verses 18-19 we learn that God has His eyes focused on His children. This reminds us that nothing slips past the watchful care of our God (Matt. 10:29-31). Nothing you are facing today, or will face tomorrow, is unknown to Him.

Our Response (vv. 1-3 and 20-22): Clearly, Christians can be hopeful about the future. They can expect a utopia because of God’s character, sovereignty, and providence.

The psalmist also teaches us how to respond today regarding our future hope. In verses 1-3, the psalmist calls us to praise God, and in verses 20-22 he calls us to wait on God and to place our trust in Him.

The most amazing thing about this psalm is that the psalmist had this level of optimism regarding the future on the Old Testament side of the cross. He was able to be confident without full knowledge of the Messiah, who had not yet been born. He was able to believe in salvation from death even before the empty tomb (v. 19).

How much more confident about the future should we be on this side of the cross? The difference between the utopianism of Wells and biblical utopianism is that we do not place our trust in princes, save one—the Prince of Peace. If you place your hope in Him, your hope will not disappoint (Rom. 5:1-5).

—Anthony Selvaggio