
Text -- Psalms 33:18 (NET)




Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics



collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
Wesley: Psa 33:18 - -- Whosoever therefore would have safety, must expect it only from the watchful eye, and almighty hand of God.
Whosoever therefore would have safety, must expect it only from the watchful eye, and almighty hand of God.

These are the chief objects of his care and favour.

Wesley: Psa 33:18 - -- That place their hope and trust, and happiness, not in any creature, but only in God, and in his mercy and blessings.
That place their hope and trust, and happiness, not in any creature, but only in God, and in his mercy and blessings.
JFB -> Psa 33:12-19; Psa 33:18-19
JFB: Psa 33:12-19 - -- The inference from the foregoing in Psa 33:12 is illustrated by God's special providence, underlying which is His minute knowledge of all men.
The inference from the foregoing in Psa 33:12 is illustrated by God's special providence, underlying which is His minute knowledge of all men.

JFB: Psa 33:18-19 - -- Contrasted is God's guidance and power to save from the greatest earthly evil and its most painful precursor, and hence from all.
Contrasted is God's guidance and power to save from the greatest earthly evil and its most painful precursor, and hence from all.
Clarke -> Psa 33:18
Clarke: Psa 33:18 - -- Behold, the eye of the Lord - Though all the above are unavailing, yet here is one thing that can never fail; "the eye of the Lord"- the watchful pr...
Behold, the eye of the Lord - Though all the above are unavailing, yet here is one thing that can never fail; "the eye of the Lord"- the watchful providence of the Most High, "is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy."
Calvin -> Psa 33:18
Calvin: Psa 33:18 - -- 18.Behold, the eye of Jehovah is upon them that fear him Having shown that what men account their best defences often profit them nothing, or rather ...
18.Behold, the eye of Jehovah is upon them that fear him Having shown that what men account their best defences often profit them nothing, or rather are utterly worthless, when men depend upon them; the Psalmist now shows, on the other hand, that believers, although they are neither men of great power nor of great wealth, are nevertheless sufficiently protected by God’s favor alone, and shall be safe for ever. His meaning is not a little illustrated by this comparison, that kings and giants derive no aid from their invincible strength, while God supports the life of the saints in famine and dearth, as really as if he were to restore life to them when dead. We consequently understand better why the prophet lays low all the strength of the world; not, surely, that men should lie prostrate, or be so heart-broken as to pine away in despair; but that, laying aside their pride, they should fix their thoughts on God alone, and persuade themselves that their life depends on his protection. Moreover, in saying that the eye of God is bent upon them that fear him to save them, he expresses more than if he had said that his hand and power were sufficient to preserve them. A doubt might creep into the minds of the weak, whether God would extend this protection to every individual; but when the Psalmist introduces him as keeping watch and ward, as it were, over the safety of the faithful, there is no reason why any one of them should tremble, or hesitate with himself a moment longer, since it is certain that God is present with him to assist him, provided he remain quietly under his providence. From this, also, it appears still more clearly how truly he had said a little before, that the people are blessed whose God is Jehovah, because, without him, all the strength and riches which we may possess will be vain, deceitful, and perishing; whereas, with a single look he can defend his people, supply their wants, feed them in a time of famine, and preserve them alive when they are appointed to death. The whole human race, no doubt, are maintained by the providence of God; but we know that his fatherly care is specially vouchsafed to none but his own children, that they may feel that their necessities are truly regarded by him.
Defender: Psa 33:18 - -- Such references to the physical features of the Lord are not mere anthropomorphisms, for God is omnipotent and can assume attributes of the bodies He ...
Such references to the physical features of the Lord are not mere anthropomorphisms, for God is omnipotent and can assume attributes of the bodies He has created. "He that formed the eye, shall he not see?" (Psa 94:9).

Defender: Psa 33:18 - -- Deliverance from evil does not come by military power ("the multitude of an host," Psa 33:16), manpower ("much strength," Psa 33:16), or horsepower ("...
TSK -> Psa 33:18
TSK: Psa 33:18 - -- the eye : Psa 34:15-20, Psa 147:11; Job 36:7; 1Pe 3:12
hope : Psa 13:5, Psa 52:8; Rom 4:4-8; Heb 6:18
the eye : Psa 34:15-20, Psa 147:11; Job 36:7; 1Pe 3:12

collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes -> Psa 33:18
Barnes: Psa 33:18 - -- Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him - He watches over them, and "he"guards them from danger. His eye is, in fact, upon all m...
Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him - He watches over them, and "he"guards them from danger. His eye is, in fact, upon all men; but it is directed with special attention to those who fear him and trust in him. Their security is in the fact that the eye of God is upon them; that he knows their wants; that he sees their dangers; that he has ample ability to deliver and save them.
Upon them that hope in his mercy - Upon the pious; upon his friends. The expression is a very beautiful one. It describes the true state of a pious heart; it in fact characterizes the whole of religion, for we imply all that there is in religion on earth when we say of a man, that - conscious of his weakness and sinfulness - "he hopes in the mercy of God."
Poole -> Psa 33:18
Poole: Psa 33:18 - -- Whosoever therefore would have safety and deliverance, must seek and expect it only from the watchful eye and almighty hand and mercy of God.
Them ...
Whosoever therefore would have safety and deliverance, must seek and expect it only from the watchful eye and almighty hand and mercy of God.
Them that fear him these are the chief objects of his care and favour.
Them that hope in his mercies that place their hope, and trust, and happiness not in any creature, but only in God, and in his mercy and blessings. The conjunction and order of these two qualifications of the person whom God careth for is observable here, they must be such as fear God , and so make conscience of keeping his commands, Ecc 12:13 , and then they may and must hope in or rely upon his mercy for their safety and happiness.
Haydock -> Psa 33:18
Haydock: Psa 33:18 - -- Just. This word is omitted in Hebrew but it is supplied by al the versions; which shews that the original is not quite perfect. (Berthier) ---
If ...
Just. This word is omitted in Hebrew but it is supplied by al the versions; which shews that the original is not quite perfect. (Berthier) ---
If this were left out, the passage would refer to the wicked, ver. 16. Yet St. Jerome found the Hebrew in this state. (Haydock) ---
Troubles. Many experienced the divine protection in a wonderful manner, and though others fell victims to persecution, (Hebrews xi. 36.) yet they were perfectly resigned to God's will, (Berthier) and thus obtained their wishes, receiving a better reward in eternity. (Calmet)
Gill -> Psa 33:18
Gill: Psa 33:18 - -- Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him,.... Not with dread of his wrath, or distrust of his grace, or for sinister ends and selfish v...
Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him,.... Not with dread of his wrath, or distrust of his grace, or for sinister ends and selfish views, but with a godly fear; by which men hate evil, depart from it, are careful not to offend God by it, but to serve and worship him; on such is not only his eye of Providence to protect from danger, to supply with the necessaries of life, but of love and grace; he looks upon them with delight and pleasure; his eye is upon them to watch over them for good, to guard them from every enemy, and from all evil, and to communicate to them every needful measure of grace;
upon them that hope in his mercy; not his absolute mercy, but his special mercy in Christ; which appears in the provision of him as a Saviour, in the mission of him into this world, and redemption by him; and is displayed in regeneration, the pardon of sin, and eternal life: and such that hope in it are they that see themselves miserable creatures, and in need of it; and who are encouraged to hope in it from the plenty and abundance of it in the heart of God; and from the many instances of it among men, and even some the chief of sinners; and they do hope in it for the forgiveness of their sins, and for salvation and eternal glory; and on these the eye of the Lord is, as before,

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> Psa 33:1-22
TSK Synopsis: Psa 33:1-22 - --1 God is to be praised for his goodness;6 for his power;12 and for his providence.20 Confidence is to be placed in God.
MHCC -> Psa 33:12-22
MHCC: Psa 33:12-22 - --All the motions and operations of the souls of men, which no mortals know but themselves, God knows better than they do. Their hearts, as well as thei...
Matthew Henry -> Psa 33:12-22
Matthew Henry: Psa 33:12-22 - -- We are here taught to give to God the glory, I. Of his common providence towards all the children of men. Though he has endued man with understandin...
Keil-Delitzsch -> Psa 33:12-19
Keil-Delitzsch: Psa 33:12-19 - --
Hence the call to praise God is supported (2) by a setting forth of that which His people possess in Him. This portion of the song is like a paraphr...
Constable -> Psa 33:1-22; Psa 33:4-19
Constable: Psa 33:1-22 - --Psalm 33
This psalm calls the godly to praise God for His dependable Word and His righteous works. The p...
