Verses to Memorize – Psalm 33

A text – Psalm 33:12-22

¹² Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage.

¹³ The Lord looks down from heaven; he sees all humankind.
¹⁴ From where he sits enthroned he watches all the inhabitants of the earth—
¹⁵ he who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds.
¹⁶ A king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
¹⁷ The war horse is a vain hope for victory, and by its great might it cannot save.

¹⁸ Truly the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,
¹⁹ to deliver their soul from death and to keep them alive in famine.

²⁰ Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and shield.
²¹ Our heart is glad in him because we trust in his holy name.
²² Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.

A reflection:

Here’s a psalm that says it out clearly. No matter how much we have, no matter how strong we are or what army is willing to fight on our behalf, none of that will get us delivered to our heavenly Father. Only the Lord can bring the beloved children home to heaven. Not our deeds. Not our strength. Only God and our belief, trust, faith that God will save us.

The final three verses would make a good chant – something to memorize – to be said when waking or falling asleep. It would place our attention on the only one who can determine our eternal future. “Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. Our heart is glad in him because we trust in his holy name.” That part describes us, in both good times and bad times. Then a plea to God: “Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.” You could be the rotten second thief on the cross next to Jesus, and say it, and definitely be promised a future in Paradise.

God loves you and me, for some wonderful reason. Turning to God in hope and faith is all we need do. The rest is fleeting and temporary and of only passing importance. Our hope is in the Lord.

A prayer:

Lord God, Thank you for loving us. Thank you for being steadfast in your love. Help us to remember that, no matter what, our turning to you in faith will always matter to you. Amen.