Psalm 33 15

Psalm 33:15 kjv

He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.

Psalm 33:15 nkjv

He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works.

Psalm 33:15 niv

he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.

Psalm 33:15 esv

he who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds.

Psalm 33:15 nlt

He made their hearts,
so he understands everything they do.

Psalm 33 verses

Psalm 33 15 Meaning

Psalm 33:15 declares God's universal and intimate creative work on humanity and His comprehensive understanding of all human actions. It reveals that the same divine Being who skillfully forms each person's innermost core—their heart, mind, and will—is also perfectly aware of every single one of their deeds. This verse underscores God's absolute sovereignty as Creator and His omniscient presence as the ultimate Knower and Judge of all mankind.

Psalm 33 15 Context

Psalm 33 is a hymn of praise and adoration to God for His attributes and works. It begins by calling the righteous to praise the Lord (vv. 1-3). It then elaborates on why God is worthy of such praise: His word is right and true (v. 4), He loves righteousness and justice (v. 5), He created the heavens by His word (vv. 6-7), and all the earth should revere Him (vv. 8-9). The psalm moves to His providential control over nations, frustrating human plans (vv. 10-11) and blessing those He chooses (v. 12). Verses 13-14 specifically state that the Lord "looks down from heaven" and "beholds all the children of man" from His dwelling place. Verse 15 follows immediately, providing the theological basis for this all-seeing knowledge: God's ability to see and know all stems from His direct and intimate creative work on every human being. He knows because He fashioned.

Historically and culturally, this psalm serves as a powerful contrast to pagan beliefs prevalent in the ancient Near East. Unlike mute, blind, and inanimate idols that "have eyes but do not see, ears but do not hear" (Ps 115:4-7; Ps 135:15-18), the God of Israel is a living, active, all-seeing, and all-knowing Creator who is intimately involved with His creation. This polemic highlights the unique majesty and active sovereignty of Yahweh.

Psalm 33 15 Word analysis

• He fashions (יֹצֵר - yotser):

  • Meaning: Participle form of the verb יָצַר (yatsar), which means "to form, to fashion, to shape, to create." This is the same verb used in Gen 2:7 when God "formed" man from the dust of the ground.
  • Significance: It implies deliberate, skillful, and purposeful creation, like a potter shaping clay. It emphasizes God's active involvement and artistry in the unique formation of each individual. It is not a passive or distant act but an intimate, intentional work.

• their hearts (לִבָּם - libbam):

  • Meaning: From לֵב (lev/leb), meaning "heart," referring to the innermost being, the center of thought, emotion, will, moral character, and spiritual life. The suffix "-am" denotes "their."
  • Significance: The "heart" in Hebrew thought is far more than just the physical organ; it represents the entirety of one's inner person—their intellect, desires, motivations, and decisions. This signifies that God's creative work is profound and reaches into the very core of who a person is, not merely their outward appearance or physical form.

• individually (יַחַד - yachad):

  • Meaning: Generally means "together, as one, uniformly, alike, equally." While some translations use "individually," the Hebrew here often emphasizes that God fashions all of them or all human beings "alike" or "together" in this divine manner. It stresses the universal application of His creative power across all humanity. Every person's heart, without exception, is formed by God.
  • Significance: This single word communicates the scope of God's creative reach. It highlights that God does not merely form some hearts but all hearts, encompassing humanity as a whole, fashioned equally by His divine hand. It's a statement about the shared human condition under divine creation.

• He considers (מֵבִין - mevin):

  • Meaning: Participle form of the verb בִּין (bin), meaning "to discern, to understand, to perceive, to gain insight, to consider."
  • Significance: This denotes deep and comprehensive understanding, not merely a superficial glance. God doesn't just see deeds; He perceives their meaning, motives, and implications with perfect insight. It's an active, ongoing discernment that underscores His omniscience.

• all their deeds (מַעֲשֵׂיהֶם - ma'aseihem):

  • Meaning: From מַעֲשֶׂה (ma'aseh), meaning "work, deed, action, doing." The suffix "-am" again means "their," and "kol" (all) precedes it, emphasizing totality.
  • Significance: Refers to all outward actions, behaviors, and works that emanate from the inner heart. The inclusion of "all" underscores God's total awareness—nothing is hidden from Him. The connection between "hearts" (inner being) and "deeds" (outer actions) is crucial: God knows the source and the fruit.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "He fashions their hearts individually (all alike)": This phrase establishes God as the supreme Architect of human interiority. It is not merely generic creation but a meticulous shaping of the most intricate and vital part of human existence – the heart, which governs desires, thoughts, and will. The inclusion of "all" or "alike" underscores that this divine formation applies universally to every single human being, without exception or favoritism in terms of their origin from Him.
• "He considers all their deeds": This second phrase logically extends from the first. Because God is the intimate fashioner of the human heart, He possesses perfect insight into the deeds that spring from it. This emphasizes God's omniscience and constant watchfulness over humanity. It means no action, no matter how small or hidden, escapes His comprehensive understanding and awareness. The pairing of inner formation and outer action reveals God's total knowledge of the human condition.

Psalm 33 15 Bonus section

• Potter Analogy: The use of "yotser" (fashion) strongly echoes the metaphor of God as a potter shaping clay (e.g., Isa 29:16, 45:9; Jer 18:1-6; Rom 9:20-21). This imagery conveys God's absolute authority, meticulous design, and purposeful intent in creating human beings. Just as the potter knows the composition of the clay and the vessel it will become, so God intimately knows the "material" (our hearts) He fashions.
• Divine Immutability & Foreknowledge: Because God fashion's hearts and considers deeds, it speaks to His timeless nature and foreknowledge. His understanding of our deeds isn't an after-the-fact observation; it's inherently linked to His pre-creation wisdom and design. This points to the consistency and reliability of God's character and His ongoing oversight of humanity.
• Basis for Divine Judgment: The verse sets the theological foundation for future judgment. If God fashions all hearts and understands all deeds, then He is the ultimate and most qualified Judge. He knows the root cause (the heart) and the fruit (the deeds), ensuring that His judgments are perfectly just and righteous. This is echoed throughout scripture in passages that speak of God rendering to each person according to their works.
• Against Human Autonomy (in an absolute sense): While humanity has free will, this verse limits the idea of absolute human autonomy. The "fashioning of hearts" and "considering all deeds" means that even our deepest inner thoughts and outer actions are always within God's comprehensive knowledge and purview. We operate within His sovereign design and understanding, not independently of it.

Psalm 33 15 Commentary

Psalm 33:15 stands as a profound theological statement, asserting God's intimate and continuous involvement with humanity. The verse beautifully links God's role as the divine Creator (who fashions the hearts) with His role as the omniscient Observer and Discerner (who considers all their deeds). This connection is foundational: He knows our works precisely because He designed and created our very being, down to our deepest inclinations and motivations. There is no aspect of human existence—neither the inward disposition nor the outward action—that lies outside of God's direct creation and perfect understanding.

The "fashioning" (yatsar) of the heart is a powerful metaphor of God as a skilled artisan, personally forming the inner landscape of each individual. This formation is not generic; it's detailed, personal, and intentional. Yet, the phrase "individually" (yachad) often also carries the sense that all human hearts are fashioned alike in this manner by God, emphasizing the universality of His creative work among mankind. Consequently, because He alone possesses this creative intimacy with every person, He alone possesses perfect, unblemished insight into their intentions and actions.

This verse carries dual implications: comfort for the righteous and warning for the wicked. For those who seek God, it is a solace to know that their deepest struggles and desires are transparent to their loving Creator, who understands them fully. For those who disregard God, it serves as a stern reminder that no hidden sin, no secret plot, no inner rebellion, and no outward transgression is concealed from the all-knowing eyes of the one who fashioned them and who will, therefore, justly hold them accountable. Ultimately, the verse affirms God's total sovereignty over both the origins and the trajectory of human life.