Psalms 33

Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.

1Be glad because of the LORD, all of you who do what is right. Praise fits honest people well.

2Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.

2Praise the LORD with a harp. Make music for him on ten strings.

NoteThe KJV word "psaltery" means a stringed instrument, a bit like a small harp.

3Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.

3Sing him a brand new song. Play your very best, and shout for joy.

4For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.

4What the LORD says is right and good. Everything he does can be trusted.

5He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.

5The LORD loves what is right and fair. The earth is full of his kind love.

6By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

6The LORD spoke, and the heavens were made. His breath made all the stars.

Note"All the host of them" means the stars and everything else in the sky.

7He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.

7He piles up the water of the sea. He stores the deep water away.

8Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.

8Let everyone on earth honor the LORD. Let all people stand in wonder before him.

Note"Fear" here means deep respect and wonder, not being scared.

9For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.

9He spoke, and it happened. He gave the order, and it stood firm.

10The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.

10The LORD stops the plans of the nations. He undoes what the peoples decide to do.

11The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

11What the LORD plans lasts forever. What he wants goes on for all time.

12Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

12Happy is the nation whose God is the LORD. He chose those people to be his own.

13The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.

13The LORD looks down from heaven. He sees every single person.

14From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.

14From the place where he lives, he watches everyone on earth.

15He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.

15He made every person's heart. He looks at all the things they do.

16There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.

16No king is saved by having a huge army. No strong soldier is saved by his strength.

17An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.

17A war horse cannot keep you safe. Even a strong horse cannot save anyone.

NoteHorses pulled war chariots. They were the strongest weapon an army had back then.

18Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;

18Look: the LORD watches over the people who honor him. He watches those who hope in his kind love.

19To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.

19He saves them from death. He keeps them alive when there is no food.

20Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.

20We wait for the LORD. He is our help and our shield.

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

21Our hearts are glad because of him. We have trusted his holy name.

22Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.

22LORD, let your kind love rest on us. We are putting our hope in you.