Could I invite you to hike the Psalm 33 trail with me today? If you give it a little bit of your time and lend some thought to its signs along the way, it will do you good. Promise.
The Psalm 33 trail leads us to overlooks and peaks high above much of the fog that clouds our vision. From its heights, a few of the valleys and switchbacks of life are put into perspective. It’s a 3,000-year-old trail, but it continues to provide much-needed fresh air to all who are willing to follow its leading.
A simple sign stands at the trailhead, setting the tone for the rest of our trek:
The earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD. (33:5)
Look around today. Be intentional. Notice. Don’t settle for the mundane. Work your way past the vain. Scavenge for the good stuff. Where can you see traces of your Creator’s steadfast love? Turn down the artificial noise. Step away from the man-made distractions. See with fresh eyes. Listen with undistracted ears. The earth on which you live is FULL of the steadfast love of the LORD. As you soak that thought in today, realize…
By the word of the LORD the heavens were made,
and by the breath of his mouth all their host. (33:6)
You have a Creator. Evidences of his invisible attributes–his eternal power and divine nature–surround you. Look up. Look down. Look around–in every direction–at the incredible, glorious things he has made.
For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm. (33:9)
As we perceive who he is with fresh eyes and understand with full hearts what he has done, why wouldn’t we honor him as God? How could we fail to give him the thanks he is due?
Let all the earth fear the LORD;
let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! (33:8)
Not everyone does, obviously. We live in a world where many claim to be wise apart from their Creator. Some exchange the glory of the immortal God for cheap imitations of their own making. We all experience, day by day, the ripple effects of living in a fallen world full of futile thinking–the rotten fruit of foolish, darkened hearts. But human selfishness and rebellion will never change God’s nature, frustrate his plans, or overpower his eternal purposes.
The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
The counsel of the LORD stands forever,
the plans of his heart to all generations. (33:10-11)
What a blessing to hold in our hands the treasure chest of his written revelation to mankind! The plans of his heart and expressions of his will. His explanation of life, the way it was meant to be. Thousands of years’ worth of history, preserved for our learning. The landscape of his work to save mankind, on full display. Priceless wisdom. Comforting promises. Fulfilled prophecies. Sacred writings. God-breathed Scripture. A lamp to our feet and a light to our path.
For the word of the LORD is upright,
and all his work is done in faithfulness.
He loves righteousness and justice. (33:4-5)
And he continues to teach us. Even on this trail, with Psalm 33, he is shaping us. Reproving and correcting us. Training us in righteousness that we may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. He is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. He sees exactly where we are. He knows precisely what we need.
The LORD looks down from heaven;
he sees all the children of man;
from where he sits enthroned he looks out
on all the inhabitants of the earth,
he who fashions the hearts of them all
and observes all their deeds. (33:13-15)
For those who insist on blazing their own trail, stubbornly resisting his counsel and correction, that can be a terrifying thought. But for those who simply want to walk in the light, as he is in the light…
Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him,
on those who hope in his steadfast love. (33:18)
Sometimes the way is hard. Rocky. Steep. Sometimes we’re not sure where he is leading us, or why the path has turned in such a difficult direction. But we believe that our God is good and does good. Therefore…
Our soul waits for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.
For our heart is glad in him,
because we trust in his holy name. (33:20-21)
And that comforting thought inspires us to pray.
Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us,
even as we hope in you. (33:22)
Thanks for walking the Psalm 33 trail with me today.