Big Idea: God’s sovereign and lovely ways inspire His people's trust and praise.

1. Praise is Fitting (vv. 1-3)

“Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright.”  Psalm 33:1

• This praise is loud (vv. 1 & 3) and skillful (vv. 2-3).

• Our singing is revealing.

2. …Because God’s Sovereignty is Lovely (vv. 4-19)

“To discuss the sovereignty of God is to discuss the lordship of God—that is, to discuss the Godness of God, the qualities that make him to be God.” John Frame

His Sovereign and Lovely Word (vv. 4-9)

“For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness.”  Psalm 33:4

“Words create worlds.”  Unknown

His Sovereign and Lovely Plans (vv. 10-12)

“The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!”  Psalm 33:11

His Sovereign and Lovely Sight (vv. 13-19)

“Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine.” Psalm 33:18

3. …So Trust is Possible (vv. 20-22)

“Our soul waits for the Lord, He is our help and shield.”  Psalm 33:20

"When you go through a trial, the sovereignty of God is the pillow upon which you lay your head."  Charles Spurgeon

“Understood in this way, the doctrine of creation and providence is rich in encouragement and comfort. There is so much in life that is oppressive and that robs us of the strength to live and to act. There are the adversities and disappointments which we meet on life’s way. There are those terrible calamities and disasters which sometimes cause hundreds and thousands of lives to be lost in nameless anguish. But life in its ordinary course also can sometimes raise doubts in the mind about the providence of God. Is not mystery the portion of mankind?

…But then the despondent Chrisitan by faith in God’s creation and providence again raises his head up high. No devil, but God, the Almighty, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, created the world…Once He had created it, He did not let it go. By His almighty and omnipresent power He sustains it. He governs and rules all things in such a way that they all cooperate and all converge upon the purposes He has established.”  Herman Bavinck 

QUESTIONS:

1. Why is singing a “fitting” thing for God’s people to do? What does a reluctance to sing in corporate worship reveal?

2. Do you have any problems with the sovereignty of God (His good rule over all things)? Was there anything in Psalm 33 that helped you with these problems? 

3. Why is the sovereignty of God “the pillow upon which you lay your head” when you go through difficulties and trials?