Psalm 33 (32):21Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Therefore, it is not merely for our sake, those who are spiritually destitute without the Lord, but rather for Him that our hearts shall rejoice. We have placed our trust in His sacred name—anticipating a return to God. In our estrangement from Him, He bestowed upon us His name through faith.

This reflects the declaration made at the start of the psalm: 'Rejoice in the righteousness of the Lord.' Consequently, 'Our heart shall rejoice in Him.' It appears that the Apostle expressed a similar sentiment when he stated: 'In all these things we overcome for Him who loves us' (Rom. 8:37). Not only do we prevail, but we also 'glory in tribulations' (Rom. 5:3). The psalmist notes: 'Our soul feareth the Lord,' and seeks to convey that his patience does not stem from forced endurance or oppression by trials, but rather from a joyful acceptance of suffering for the name of the Lord. He asserts that we not only endure but also 'our heart shall rejoice in Him, and in His holy name we shall trust.' It suffices for us to bear the name of Christians to resist all temptations from adversaries. The designation of God as holy is not because the words themselves possess any inherent sanctifying power, but because all of God's attributes and the essence of what is most profoundly revealed in Him are sacred and pure.

Given that we have experienced numerous blessings, we possess a steadfast hope in God and continually anticipate His assistance, for He has bestowed this joy upon us. Consequently, we declare, "Since we place our trust in His holy name, we seek the grace of a hope that is equal. For He proclaims, 'Let your mercy be upon us, O Lord, just as we have hoped in you.'"

Our hearts will find joy in Him. The call to wait upon the Lord arises not only from the assurance that He will be our aid but also from the comfort He provides our hearts as we face tribulations, conquering adversaries and temptations. Great Basil observes that when the Psalmist encourages our souls to wait on the Lord, it is to demonstrate that our endurance in trials is not born of compulsion or necessity; rather, it is a willing acceptance of suffering for His name's sake. This assurance extends beyond mere waiting, indicating that our hearts will find gladness in Him. We are steadfast in His holy name; to believe in His name signifies trusting in His essence. Simply invoking the name of God can dispel foes.

After adhering to the initial purpose of the Holy Spirit, they answer the second calling—the call to joy, as expressed in the opening lines of the psalm. They acknowledge the impact of this joyful call and, having experienced the Lord's goodness and mercy, they rightfully rejoice in His presence and place their faith in His holy name.

Psalm This psalm, lacking an inscription in the Hebrew text, is believed to connect with Psalm 31. It serves as an Old Testament rendition of the Lord's assurance: do not fear, little flock (Lk.12:32). The context for its creation might relate to a miraculous triumph achieved by God's seemingly small people against powerful pagan nations. In light of God's remarkable aid, the psalmist urges the faithful of Israel—the righteous and upright—to offer exuberant praise (joyful and triumphant shouts; 1Ezdr.3:11) accompanied by music in the form of a fresh and exceptional song (vv.1-3).

The saints, through the grace of our Lord Christ, perform numerous wonders in His sacred name. Despite facing disgrace, we embrace it with gratitude and joy, as stated in Acts 5:41.