Last week in our study on kindness we looked at the Hebrew word, hesed, which is usually translated as mercy, love, loving-kindness, grace, loyalty or devotion and is similar to the definition of "goodness". Each of these qualities expresses aspects of God's goodness therefore hesed is sometimes translated as goodness in accordance to the context in which it is being used. When tob or tub (derived from towb) is translated as good or goodness, it means to be or make good, better, or well. All of these are things we think of as normally good. It is the context that determines which usage the translators choose. Tub is a noun and is frequently translated as "goodness,"

As the Scriptures teach us, the most infinite and fundamental sense of good is found only in God. Only God's goodness is absolute and complete. Everything else is measured according to God's standard of goodness. And what is God's standard of goodness?

God's standard is His LAW and the keeping of all His commandments is righteousness. Psalm 119:172 defines righteousness as such.  Righteousness is characterized as being conformed to the law of God and having the mind of God. 

If God is the source of all goodness, how do we become good as God is good? We must seek to walk as Jesus walked (1st John 2:6), seek forgiveness quickly when we discover sin in our lives, incorporate the beatitudes that are taught in Mathew 5, seek to live and walk in the Spirit. If we are obeying God, He promises that He will give the gift of His Holy Spirit to those who obey Him (Acts 5:32).

In the New Testament, the Greek word for goodness is agathosune 

(Strong's #19) and means goodness, i.e. virtue or beneficence. The English word "benevolence" has the meaning that covers aspects of this Greek word which means; an inclination or tendency to help or do good to others; charity, an act of kindness.

We are accountable to each other; that is God's mandate for us as brethren as we develop godly character by showing godly love and concern for each other. As "iron sharpens iron" we are to help each other to stay faithful and to encouraged each other to diligently stay close to God. That is what loving family members do; they protect and encourage one another to keep all of God's commandments, His whole Word. We exhort each other "to hold fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." (Revelation 3:11)

For a while it will not look like it is a good thing happening, but if He doesn't clean up the earth by driving out evil doers by the coming final correction, just like He did in the Temple when He drove out the unscrupulous money changers and corrupt sellers of animals; the earth would end up as before: without form, void and dark, completely devastated again just like it was about 6000 years ago. 

But instead, the whole earth is going to become once again like the garden of Eden. And it will be God's goodness (apathosune) that will bring it about.

God made the earth full of the goodness of the LORD (Psalm 33:5) and will soon be even more so, because the LORD is good Himself. He is molding His children to be refashioned into His image and wants us to witness to others that the God of goodness is our God, and that we reflect the same goodness that is of Him. He is making us ready, preparing us for serving in His Kingdom and wants us to demonstrate His goodness to all those that come within our reach; and to do all that we can to cultivate His goodness into our lives.

 

Psalm Commentary

Psalm 33

  

 

Psalm 33 is a psalm of praise that calls for God's people to praise the LORD with music and song for His goodness as shown by His mighty creative powers, and for His truth.

  

This is one of the few psalms in Book One of Psalms that does not inform us who wrote it.

  

Whoever the psalmist is, he is filled with wonder and praise for God for all of His justice, goodness, truth, and for all His marvelous works. He calls others of like-mind to join with him in rejoicing.

  

The Hebrew word for "rejoice" is ranan (Strong's # 7442) A primitive root; properly, to creak (or emit a stridulous sound), i.e. To shout (usually for joy) -- aloud for joy, cry out, be joyful (greatly, make to) rejoice, (cause to) shout (for joy), (cause to) sing aloud, for joy, out, triumph.

  

The psalmist calls upon the "righteous" to rejoice. The righteous are the covenant people of Israel who keep the commandments of God and all those who down through the ages have entered a covenant relationship with the true God of Israel. As with Israel of the psalmist's time, this is also an appeal for the Spiritual Israel of God, the Ekklesia, who keep God's whole Word, to worship God and praise Him (greatly and loudly) for all of His wonderful works.

  

  

*Psalm 33:1 Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely [beautiful and appropriate] for the upright.

  

Praise and worship is a natural outpouring from the heart of the gratefulness we have toward God; and it is fitting that God's people would want to praise Him. We, of all people, who have been called to know the truth; who have committed to follow and obey Him; have been given the promises of the resurrection and eternal life; have much to praise Him for.

  

"O ye righteous"; the righteous are characterized as those who keep all of God's commandments and His whole Word and who are seeking to internalized His divine nature into their heart and being. (Psalm 119:172 ....for all thy commandments are righteousness.)

  

  

*Psalm 33:2 Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. 3 Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.

  

Throughout the Bible, music plays a big part in the lives of the Hebrew people and in the early Christian church. Music is a wonderful analogy of the diversity and the gifting of God's people and how the different types of people will come together to become a wonderful work just like when making beautiful music. The members of Christ's body participate by doing what he or she does best under the direction and guidance of the "Music Director."

 

As members of God's Ekklesia, we all are given our part, whether it's singing different voice ranges, different notes, or playing different instruments; His Spiritual Temple will all come together in perfect harmony; somewhat like the stones that were cut at the quarry, brought to the temple and fit perfectly to form God's Holy Temple at the temple site.

  

Music is an art form that tells a story, exhorts one to be or to do something, or it can encourage and inspire the singers and listeners. It may evoke passions and feelings of joy, happiness, love, or even sorrow in mourning. Music can be used to call people to worship, or call people to war, as a lullaby, or to celebrate victories as Moses and the people did by composing and singing the "Song of Moses" after being delivered from Pharaoh and his army. 

 

Music used in praise and worship extols the attributes of God and glorifies Him for all that He is and for all His goodness.

  

From Wikipedia.org we can learn some history about Biblical music:

 

"Knowledge of the biblical period is mostly from literary references in the Bible and post-biblical sources. Religion and music historian Herbert Lockyer, Jr. writes that "music, both vocal and instrumental, was well cultivated among the Hebrews, the New Testament Christians, and the Christian church through the centuries." [1] He adds that "a look at the Old Testament reveals how God's ancient people were devoted to the study and practice of music, which holds a unique place in the historical and prophetic books, as well as the Psalter."

 

"The music of religious ritual was first used by King David, and, according to the Larousse Encyclopedia of Music, he is credited with confirming the men of the Tribe of Levi as the "custodians of the music of the divine service."[2] Historian Irene Hesk notes that of the twenty-four books of the Old Testament, the 150 Psalms in the Book of Psalms ascribed to King David, have served as "the bedrock of Judeo-Christian hymnology," concluding that "no other poetry has been set to music more often in Western civilization."[3]

 

"The study of ancient musical instruments has been practiced for centuries with some researchers studying instruments from Israel/Palestine dating to the "biblical period."[4]:145 Archaeological and written data have demonstrated clearly that music was an integral part of daily life in ancient Israel/Palestine. Figurines and iconographic depictions show that people played chordophones and frame drums, and that the human voice was essential as women and men sang love songs along with laments for the deceased. Data also describes outdoor scenes of music and dancing in sometimes prophetic frenzies, often with carefully orchestrated and choreographed musicians and singers within specially built structures.[4]:106" According to ancient music historian Theodore Burgh, "If we were able to step into the . . . biblical period, we would find a culture filled with music . . . where people used music in their daily lives."[4] "Such music was capable of expressing a great variety of moods and feelings or the broadly marked antitheses of joy and sorrow, hope and fear, faith and doubt. In fact, every shade and quality of sentiment are found in the wealth of songs and psalms and in the diverse melodies of the people."[1]:X 

(The Wikipedia On-line Encyclopedia.)

  

Music is a wonderful gift to mankind when it is used to glorify God by singing of His attributes and of all His Works. King David had a special gift for music and was a accomplished musician even from his youth. He used his gifts profusely in the writing of his psalms, and we know from the Bible that he established a whole army of musicians and singers for the worship at the Tabernacle and later the Temple to praise God. It must have been awe-inspiring to have been there at that time in history and to have been able to experience the kind of music that was performed. But this is something we can look forward to in the Millennium Kingdom, as David will once again be alive to lead the people in song and teach them the restored Temple music that has been lost.

  

God apparently created the angels with voices that can sing as well. Someday we may know what it sounds like to hear their voices put to beautiful music and song. Maybe they will even be singing with us for joy over what God has accomplished in His work of creating the spiritual children of God. They did sing for joy when God created the world. The Hebrew word ranan is translated as "sang" in Job 38:5.

  

Job 38:5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? 6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; 7 When the morning stars sang (ranan) together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

  

Like the angels, God has created men and women with an innate connection to music and singing, especially in regard to worship. God created us with the vocal cords and ability to sing. Little children, even babies, naturally sing when they are happy and content and usually no one has to teach them how to sing.

  

Just as God's people are called to do so in many of the psalms, Paul admonishes us that we are to speak to each other by the singing of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs unto Him!

  

Ephesians 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

  

And we know from Scripture that God, Himself, sings!

  

Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

  

Matthew 26:30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

  

From these and many other Scriptures, it seems that God loves music very much and that He even created many of His creatures to make sounds that are songs of nature. As I write, my room is filled with the sounds of many kinds of birds singing and the very loud "singing" or "creaking" (ranan) of the frogs in the marshes just outside my open window. I love to hear these sounds.

  

What does it mean to sing a "new song"? The Hebrew word for "new" is chadash (Strong's # 2318 and #2319) and means (#2318) to be new, cause to rebuild, renew, repair (#2319) fresh, new thing.

  

The Bible mentions this concept in many other places in the Bible of singing a new (or fresh) song. (Psalm 33:3, Psalm 40:3, Psalm 96:1, Psalm 98:1, Psalm 144:9, Psalm 149:1, Isaiah 42:10, Revelation 5:9, Revelation 14:3.)

  

This could possibly be a fresh or original song of praise that has been written to the LORD, but could also mean to sing to God with a renewed sense of wonder at the realization of all that He does for us, and for His involvement in the lives of mere men and women.

  

The worship of God should never lapse into something that we just do out of duty; or singing the words but not really thinking about the words we are singing. We should always approach God with reverence and sincere rejoicing.

  

To play skillfully, we are exhorted to not come before God in worship with a casual or disengaged attitude. We are to play skillfully, because we are playing to the Great King and we must offer Him only our best. 

 

In Ecclesiastes 9:10 we are told that "whatsoever our hand finds to do, do it with all our might." In other words we are not to be Laodician in our worshiping. 

 

How we worship God can be indicative of how we are living our lives for Him. But playing skillfully is not the only criterion of worship music; we are also admonished to rejoice with a "shout of joy." To be serious and genuine about our relationship with God and acknowledging that we are in the very presence of our LORD, is incumbent for our music to be truly worshipful. As Almighty God and our Creator, He deserves all our wholehearted attention.

  

  

*Psalm 33:4 For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth.

  

These are the reasons we are to praise and worship God, He is worthy of our praise for His is a God of truth. All of His Word is right and is truth; we can trust His Word because it is the truth; and all His work is done according to His truth.

  

 

*Psalm 33:5 He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

  

God hates evil but loves the virtues of uprightness, faithfulness, and justice. Although the world is filled with evil at this present time with people who have no thought for God, nor have any desire to know and obey Him; God's people can envision beyond the apparent wickedness of the world to discern God's goodness.

  

God is good by the very fact that He has given us life, the air we breathe, water to drink, food to eat, rain and sunshine, the earth, sun and moon, and all of creation for our good, and that He holds it all together and provides for the sustenance of all that He has made. Not only that, but God gives abundantly in the spiritual things to those who are His faithful children, such as His laws and commandments, forgiveness of sins, His Holy Spirit, love, hope, faith, and all His promises for an even better world that will not have evil in it.

  

We can look forward to one day soon, when God's goodness and righteousness will prevail over all evil, and then we will experience His goodness in all it's fullness, when there is no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain.

  

If we will only trust Him and strive to live for Him we can see and taste how good it is to be living His way of life even now in this present time.

  

Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

  

Psalm 107:8 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

  

*Psalm 33:6 By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. 7 He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. 8 Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. 9 For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.

  

In these verses, the psalmist is referencing Genesis 1 and praising God for His creative powers that are completely beyond our limited human comprehension; for He made everything by His Word (breath of his mouth). His powers are so magnificent, as exhibited in how He controls even the host of heaven and the mighty raging seas; for it was He who made them.

  

Exodus 15:11 Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

  

The whole world is called to stand in awe and fear of what God has done and is doing and for His GREATNESS. Most do not at this time, and take all these things for granted, even attributing the creation to evolution and the big bang theory, which is utter nonsense. But some day God will be known by all and all knees will bow and all will confess that He is LORD, and then they will worship and give glory to both the Father and the Son. (Philippians 2:9) 

  

Ezekiel 28:23 Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD.

  

  

*Psalm 33:10 The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.

  

God will bring all the counsel of foolish men to nothing, and will prove the devices of men to be false and untrustworthy.

  

The Hebrew word for counsel is yaats (Strong's #3289) and means: advice, consultation, counsel, counselor, counselors, counsels, designs, plan, plans, purpose.

  

The Hebrew word for "devise" is chashab (Strong's #2803) means; to conceive, consider, count, cunning man, work, workman, devise, to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a malicious sense); hence (from the mental effort) to think, regard, value, compute, devise, esteem, find out, forecast, hold, imagine, impute, invent, be like, mean, purpose, reckon(-ing be made), regard, think, scheme, schemes, strategy, stratagems of men.

  

But if any of man's counsel, advice, or devices are apart from God and His Word, they will only lead one to ruin and destruction and will not accomplished any of the things that men think that they will accomplish. In the end it will all prove to be false, a waste of time and effort.

  

 

*Psalm 33:11 The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

  

But the counsel of God, which is all of His Word, including all of His commandments, statutes, ordinances, judgments,  are true for all generations and will last throughout all eternity.

  

*Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

  

And happy are those who have entered into a covenant relationship with Him and who have made God their LORD and Master. The nation who has God as their LORD, is the nation that is comprised of His called-out ones, the Spiritual Israel of God; those who have been forgiven, who seek to do all His commandments and are faithful (enduring until the end of their lives or until Jesus returns.) It is these people who will make up this nation that are so incredibly blessed!

  

  

*Psalm 33:13 The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. 14 From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. 15 He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.

  

God sees all, even though most men do not have a clue about that fact, living as if there is no God at all. But all men are responsible and accountable to the One who is their Creator, whether they are willing to acknowledge Him or not.

  

Even though most are not being called at this time, all people know right from wrong to certain degrees and God will hold all accountable for what they do according to what they do know. God clearly reveals His existence and His goodness by the things He has made; His creation is all around us and calls us to see and know that there is a Great and Almighty God. The fact that those things are clearly visible, gives man proof, that, in order to have created things, there has to be a Creator of those things.

  

Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

  

It was God who made us and gave us minds to think, and what we do with that mind is what will be manifested in our works. He is a wise and righteous Judge and will take all things into consideration as to how well we have done in our lives with what we have had to work with. It will be according to our temperaments, personalities, our upbringings, environments, experiences, the gifting and talents, and what we have been taught about Him and His ways. He says that to whom much is given, of him much is required.

  

Luke 12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

  

And those of us who call ourselves the Ekklesia, who have been called and given His laws and His truth, and the Holy Spirit that empowers us to keep them; are the ones who will be held accountable the most.  The Scriptures encourage all of us, including myself, to use our time wisely now while we can, while we have life and breath to pursue Him with all of our hearts and with all our will; making time for Him rather than wasting so much time on things that are transitory and don't even matter in the whole scheme of His purpose for mankind.

  

He is calling us to be kings and priests and wants us to train as much as we can using the precious resources He has made available. Yes, we do live in perilous times, in an evil world, but most of us who are reading this are blessed with more than 99.9% of the world; not only in what we have been given as far as the physical blessings, living in a prosperous nation; but also by the fact that we have been given so much access to God's truth, and the means by which we can study, learn, meditate, and then apply the things of God from His Word to do those things now in our lives that we will be teaching to the other 99.9% when its their turn to be taught.

  

God can only use those who have diligently learned all His principles and ways of doing things, to teach others when the work of leading, guiding and teaching begins; mostly in the Millennium Kingdom, and then beyond, during the time of the Great Latter Harvest of mankind. 

 

We need to seize the moment now while we still have time and be Pillars, not Laodicians (myself included). God wants enthusiastic, zealous leaders in His Kingdom; those who are passionate, that love everything about Him and who follow Him joyfully and rigorously. Can you image being in the Kingdom of God with a bunch of Laodican kings and priests that are lukewarm about ruling over His people or teaching them about God and how to live for Him?

  

  

*Psalm 33:16 There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. 17 An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.

  

The psalmist reminds us that we cannot save ourselves, even the strongest and mightiest amongst us cannot ultimately save himself and others. Neither is there any real safety or security in horses, i.e. military equipment or might; and all our superior genius technology will not deliver us from danger and from those who war against us in the long term.

  

Any nation that puts its trust in their greatness, their numbers or military power, and which does not obey nor trust in God, nor look to him for preservation and victory; is destined for a terrible awakening. The all-important factor in every life, whether that of a nation or of an individual, is simply, to trust and obey God and look to Him for deliverance. God is going to show forth His mighty ability to battle and destroy all human opposition to His will and purpose. Only God can save us; if we are one of His faithful children, diligently following close after Him. It is He who will provide for us and protect us. Even if we should die, we will ultimately be resurrected to eternal life and live again; in complete peace and security with Him forever.

  

  

*Psalm 33:18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; 19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. 20 Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield.

  

If our fear is in the Lord; if we fear to disobey Him or to let Him down in any way; then we need not fear what men can do to us. He can deliver our lives from death just as He did for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego when He preserved their lives even in the midst of the fiery furnace. Those that do die that are His faithful children, will be delivered from death at the resurrection to life.

  

Here are other Scriptures that indicate that God will deliver and sustain His faithful, obedient people and will preserve their lives even during famine and tribulation and deliver them from their enemies.

  

Isaiah 33:14 The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? 15 He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; 16 He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. 

 

At the end of this age we know that God will eradicate evil and evil men from the earth and then His people will dwell in safety in the land full of God's goodness with an abundance of wholesome food and water and all good things, as foretold in Deuteronomy 33.

  

Deuteronomy 33:26 There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky. 27 The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them. 28 Israel then shall dwell in safety alone: the fountain of Jacob shall be upon a land of corn and wine; also his heavens shall drop down dew. 29 Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the Lord, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.

  

  

*Psalm 33:21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.

  

The ultimate rejoicing in God will be at the Marriage Supper when those who have been redeemed will celebrate their triumph over the beast power (Satan) and over his mark (sin). It will be a day of much rejoicing and their hearts will be filled with joy at finally experiencing the things that they trusted God in as believers, to be true and right. Their hopes and dreams of the future events and promises of God that they have waited for all of their lives will finally be a reality (for those who have remained true and faithful) and they will want to sing with rejoicing with all of their hearts unto God. They will praise Him because He is a good God and He is full of GOODNESS.

  

Revelation 19:6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. 7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

  

What will we be singing on that day? The Bible tells us that we will be singing: "Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest." (Revelation 15:3-4)

  

  

*Psalm 33:22 Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.

  

Let it be upon us just as we have hoped in His Word and in all His promises; and according to His perfect will and timing.

 

 

Constance

  

Summary Scripture

Psalm 78:22-28

 

22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: 

I was as a beast before thee.

23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: 

thou hast holden me by my right hand.

24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, 

and afterward receive me to glory.

25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.

26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go

a whoring from thee. 

28 But it is good for me to draw near to God:

 I have put my trust in the Lord God,  

that I may declare all thy works.