Psalm 33:10-22

Published: May 1, 2020, 7 a.m.

We are continuing our series of reflections on the Psalms. Each day we will upload a new reflection to the website. We hope and pray that you will find them helpful and that they bring hope during this season. Click on these buttons to read the text of the psalm or listen to a recording of it. You can also listen to the reflection using the audio player below. Read Psalm 33:10-22  Listen to Psalm 33:10-22 In the second part of this psalm of praise, the psalmist shifts from the praise of God as creator to the praise of God who is in control of human history. The plans of the nations will be thwarted unless they are also the plans of the Lord (verses 10-12). The Lord made the world, but he is not just an observer or another actor in creation along with humanity. He is sovereign and in control of events in human history. Plenty of plans have been thwarted this year as nation after nation introduced measures to lockdown their countries in an effort to contain and control the pandemic. Sporting fixtures, conferences, public events and celebrations have all been postponed or cancelled as the world faces the threat of the coronavirus. The Lord looks down from heaven, but he is not a distant observer. He watches all of us, everyone, and considers everything that we do (verses 13-15). From Genesis 1, as we saw yesterday, we learn that God spoke creation into being by his Word. But he also saw that what he had created was good, and after he had created humanity he saw that it was very good. What does God see as we tackle the pandemic? I'm sure that he sees the weekly applause for the NHS, care home workers and key workers. He sees the teachers who transformed their DT workshops into the production of PPE. He sees the little acts of kindness between neighbours. He sees individuals whether 9 or 99 raising money to support the most vulnerable. The psalmist says the Lord's "eyes … are on those who fear him," the God of unfailing love (verse 18) who delivers and sustains us (verse 19). So how do we weather this phase of human history? By waiting in hope for the Lord, creator of the world and sovereign in history, hoping in his unfailing love. Lord, we wait in hope for you. You are our help and our shield. Our hearts rejoice, for we trust in your holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.