Psalm 33:12-22 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 33:12-22 on biblegateway.com
Verse 12Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage.
Verse 13The Lord looks down from heaven; he sees all humankind.
Verse 14From where he sits enthroned he watches all the inhabitants of the earth-
Verse 15he who fashions the hearts of them all, and observes all their deeds.
Verse 16A king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
Verse 17The war horse is a vain hope for victory, and by its great might it cannot save.
Verse 18Truly the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,
Verse 19to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
Verse 20Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and shield.
Verse 21Our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.
Verse 22Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.
Devotion
Nations that boast they have God on their side would love to isolate verse 12a. “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord …”
However, the poem clearly speaks nothing of the self-interest of nations, kings, queens or any overzealous multinational hegemony. It doesn’t consider war or arms to be helpful when it comes to strength, victory or salvation. Rather, the poem speaks of a proper alignment of values with public life. It reminds us that God is watching. So, the poet invites the soul to “wait for the Lord,” who is “our help and shield” (v. 20).
We know about security cameras hovering around our cities. We install them in hopes of creating a sense of security. The psalm, however, has its own version of security cameras. It invites the community to put right public life, because we are not alone. God is watching.
Prayer
We give you thanks, gracious God, for the bounty of your earth and the hearty spirit you offer freely and wonderfully. Amen.