Matthew Henry Commentary Psalms 33:12-22

"Blessed is the nation whose God is Jehovah, The people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. Jehovah looketh from heaven; He beholdeth all the sons of men; From the place of his habitation he looketh forth Upon all the inhabitants of the earth, He that fashioneth the hearts of them all, That considereth all their works. There is no king saved by the multitude of a host: A mighty man is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a vain thing for safety; Neither doth he deliver any by his great power. Behold, the eye of Jehovah is upon them that fear him, Upon them that hope in his lovingkindness; To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine. Our soul hath waited for Jehovah: He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in him, Because we have trusted in his holy name. Let thy lovingkindness, O Jehovah, be upon us, According as we have hoped in thee." — Psalms 33:12-22 (ASV)

All the inner workings and activities of human souls, which only they themselves know, God knows better than they do. Their hearts, as well as their times, are all in his hand; he formed the spirit of each person within them. All the powers of the creature depend upon him, and are of no significance, and of no use at all, without him.

If we make sure of God's favor toward us, then we need not fear whatever is against us. We are to give him the glory of his special grace. All human devices for the salvation of our souls are vain; but the Lord's watchful eye is over those whose conscientious fear of his name stems from a believing hope in his mercy. In difficulties they will be helped; in dangers they will not suffer any real harm.

Those who fear God and his wrath must hope in God and his mercy, for there is no fleeing from him except by fleeing to him. Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us; let us always have the comfort and benefit, not according to our merits, but according to the promise you have given us in your word, and according to the faith you have worked in us by your Spirit and grace.