Charles Ellicott Commentary Psalms 33

Rejoice. —A common hymnic word, meaning properly to “shout,” or “sing for joy.”

Harp. —Hebrew, khinnôr (Septuagint and Vulgate, “cithara”), most probably a trigon or three-cornered harp, such as may be seen sculptured in Egyptian bas-reliefs. The number of strings probably varied, as different accounts are given. (See Bible Educator, 1:19.)

With the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. —Properly, as Septuagint and Vulgate, “with the ten-stringed psaltery.” (See 1 Samuel 10:5). Evidently a more elaborate instrument than the khinnôr, and with greater capacities. (See Bible Educator, 1:70, and the article “Psaltery” in Smith’s Biblical Dictionary.) From the Greek psalterion comes the title “psalter” for the Book of Psalms. By its derivation it meant an instrument played with the fingers. The word was in use in older English:

“And before them went many minstrels,
As harps, pipes, lutes, and sautry.”

CHAUCER: The Flower and the Leaf, 237.

A new song.—This expression occurs in Psalm 96:1; Psalms 98:1; Psalms 149:1; Isaiah 42:10; Judith 16:13, and was adopted in Revelation 5:9; Revelation 14:3. The term apparently marked the revival of national psalmody after the Captivity. “Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare ... Sing unto the Lord a new song” (Isaiah 42:9–10).

Play skilfully with a loud noise.—The latter words represent a Hebrew expression of common hymnic use, describing the full choral effect when instruments and voices were joined in the service of the sanctuary (Psalms 95:1; Psalms 100:1, and others). Some, however, limit it to the trumpet accompaniment, and render—

“Strike the harp deftly for him,
Amid the blare of trumpets.”

Right. —The first inspiring cause of praise for a faithful Israelite is the righteousness of the God of the Covenant. But the pregnant expression, “word of Jehovah,” naturally leads him from the thought of its truth to the thought of its power, and in Psalm 33:6-7 we have praise of the creative act of the Almighty.

The breath of his mouth. —This is plainly only a synonym for word. (Compare to Isaiah 11:4, where breath of his lips is used for the Divine sentence of judgment upon the heathen.)