Psalm 33:18 kjv
Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
Psalm 33:18 nkjv
Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy,
Psalm 33:18 niv
But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
Psalm 33:18 esv
Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,
Psalm 33:18 nlt
But the LORD watches over those who fear him,
those who rely on his unfailing love.
Psalm 33 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 34:15 | The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous... | God's gaze on the righteous. |
| Ps 147:11 | The Lord delights in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His steadfast love. | Direct parallel of Ps 33:18 themes. |
| 2 Chron 16:9 | For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support... | God's active searching to strengthen. |
| Prov 15:3 | The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. | Omnipresence, universal surveillance. |
| Zech 4:10 | ...these seven are the eyes of the Lord, which range throughout the whole earth. | Symbolic omnipresence for divine action. |
| Job 34:21 | For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees all his steps. | God's absolute knowledge of human conduct. |
| Ps 103:11 | For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him. | Connection between fear and divine steadfast love. |
| Ps 103:17 | But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him... | Enduring covenant love for the reverent. |
| Prov 1:7 | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge... | Foundation of understanding God's truth. |
| Prov 9:10 | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. | Foundation of true wisdom. |
| Deut 10:12 | And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God... | Essential requirement of the covenant. |
| Ps 112:1 | Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commandments! | Blessings associated with fearing God. |
| Eccl 12:13 | The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep His commandments... | Summary of human duty. |
| Ps 130:5 | I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I hope. | Patient expectation and trust in God's word. |
| Ps 52:8 | But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God... | Steadfast trust in God's loyal love. |
| Ps 119:49-50 | Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. This is my comfort... | Hope derived from God's reliable promises. |
| Rom 5:5 | And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts... | New Testament concept of enduring hope and God's love. |
| Heb 11:1 | Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. | Connection between hope and faith. |
| 1 Pet 1:3 | ...according to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope... | New Testament living hope through Christ. |
| Ps 33:19 | ...to deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine. | Immediate outcome/benefit from God's watchful eye. |
| Ps 34:19 | Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. | God's deliverance for His people. |
| Ps 91:1-2 | He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty... | Assurance of divine protection. |
| John 10:28 | I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; no one will snatch them out of My hand. | New Testament assurance of eternal security. |
| Phil 1:6 | And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion... | God's ongoing faithful work in believers. |
Psalm 33 verses
Psalm 33 18 Meaning
Psalm 33:18 reveals a profound truth about God's intimate and watchful care over His faithful people. It declares that the eye of the Lord, symbolizing His omnipresent, all-knowing, and actively engaged attention, rests specifically upon those who live in reverential awe of Him and confidently hope in His unwavering, loyal love. This verse is an assurance of divine providence, protection, and provision for those who align their hearts and trust with God's character and commands.
Psalm 33 18 Context
Psalm 33 is a joyful hymn of praise, extolling the Lord's character and works. The preceding verses (33:1-11) praise God's creative power, the might of His word in creation, and His sovereign control over nations and their plans. Verses 12-17 celebrate the blessedness of the nation whose God is the Lord, highlighting His omniscient gaze over all humanity, contrasting His divine strength with the inadequacy of human military might and horses for deliverance. Psalm 33:18-19 specifically elaborates on God's benevolent watchfulness, narrowing the scope of His universal gaze to His particular care for His devoted followers, offering them deliverance from death and preservation in difficult times, in direct contrast to reliance on human means for salvation. The verse thus pivots from God's general oversight to His specific, favorable attention.
Psalm 33 18 Word analysis
- Behold (הִנֵּה, hinneh): An interjection used to draw immediate attention, signifying the importance and remarkable nature of what is about to be revealed. It acts as an exclamation point, emphasizing a divine revelation.
- the eye (עֵין, ‘ayin): An anthropomorphic expression. While God does not literally have physical eyes, this term represents His active perception, full knowledge (omniscience), constant watchfulness, attentive care, and benevolent favor. It conveys the idea of God focusing His gaze with intent and purpose, distinguishing it from merely seeing. It implies His deep engagement and a specific, caring observation, not just passive awareness.
- of the Lord (יהוה, Yahweh): This is God's personal covenant name, revealing His unchanging, faithful, and self-existent nature. Its use here emphasizes that it is this covenant-keeping God, the one true living God, who offers this profound care, in contrast to impotent idols of the surrounding cultures that have "eyes but do not see" (Ps 115:5).
- on those who fear Him (עַל יִרְאֵיוּ, ‘al yir’eyw):
- fear (ירא, yare’): This is not a servile or terror-filled fear, but reverential awe, deep respect, profound reverence, and humble obedience towards God. It stems from a recognition of His majestic power and holiness, leading to worship and a desire to align one's life with His will. This "fear" includes avoiding evil and obeying His commandments, acting as a foundation for wisdom and knowledge in the Scriptures.
- on those who hope (עַל הַמְיַחֲלִים, ‘al ham'yakhalim):
- hope (יחל, yakhal): This is more than a passive wish. It signifies confident expectation, steadfast reliance, patient endurance, and an active trust in God's promises and character. It’s an attitude of waiting on God with unwavering certainty that He will act on behalf of those who trust in Him, particularly in His saving power and faithfulness.
- in His steadfast love (לְחַסְדּוֹ, le-khasdo):
- steadfast love (חסד, chesed): A foundational term in Old Testament theology. It encompasses covenant faithfulness, loyal love, enduring kindness, mercy, and compassion. It denotes God's unswerving commitment to His promises and to His people, a persistent loyalty that goes beyond mere sentiment to active, dependable grace. It's the secure foundation for the believer's hope.
Psalm 33 18 Bonus section
The Hebrew parallelism in the second part of the verse ("on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His steadfast love") highlights that genuine "fear of the Lord" is not merely outward observance but is intrinsically linked with deep "hope" and trust in God's loving character. One cannot truly fear God without trusting His goodness, nor can one truly trust Him without revering His majesty. The watchful "eye of the Lord" serves as a direct antidote to the perceived blindness or indifference of ancient Near Eastern deities, asserting Yahweh's unparalleled ability and willingness to intervene in the affairs of humanity, specifically for the benefit of His faithful ones. This verse transitions from the general statement of God's omnipresence over all creation (Ps 33:13-15) to a comforting, personal assurance for those in covenant relationship with Him, signifying a unique, preferential watch care for His own.
Psalm 33 18 Commentary
Psalm 33:18 presents a beautiful illustration of divine attention directed towards a specific group: those who express both reverence for God and confident reliance on His covenant loyalty. In a world full of uncertainties and the failures of human might (as just mentioned in Ps 33:16-17), this verse reassures believers that God's powerful, discerning gaze is specifically fixed upon them for good. His "eye" signifies not merely observation, but active engagement, a protective and benevolent focus. The parallel concepts of "fearing Him" and "hoping in His steadfast love" are complementary expressions of true faith. "Fear" establishes the boundary of reverence and obedience, acknowledging God's holiness and supreme authority, while "hope" builds on the bedrock of His unfailing chesed, trusting His merciful and faithful nature. These twin qualities characterize a life lived in a right relationship with the Almighty. The verse implicitly warns against self-reliance or trust in worldly powers, underscoring that ultimate security and deliverance stem from the Lord's active watchfulness and commitment to those who depend solely on Him.