King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Behold, the eye of the LORD [is] upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
Complete Jewish Bible:
But ADONAI's eyes watch over those who fear him, over those who wait for his grace
Berean Standard Bible:
Surely the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His loving devotion
American Standard Version:
Behold, the eye of Jehovah is upon them that fear him, Upon them that hope in his lovingkindness;
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Behold, the eye{H5869} of the LORD{H3068} is upon them that fear{H3373} him, upon them that hope{H3176} in his mercy{H2617};
Cross-References (KJV):
1 Peter 3:12
- For the eyes of the Lord [are] over the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord [is] against them that do evil.
Job 36:7
- He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings [are they] on the throne; yea, he doth establish them for ever, and they are exalted.
Psalms 147:11
- The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
Psalms 34:15
- The eyes of the LORD [are] upon the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their cry.
Psalms 34:20
- He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.
Hebrews 6:18
- That by two immutable things, in which [it was] impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
Psalms 52:8
- But I [am] like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Psalms 33:18
Psalm 33:18 is part of a larger psalm that emphasizes the sovereignty and faithfulness of God. The verse itself, "Behold, the eye of the LORD [is] upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy," speaks to the concept of divine providence and the special attention God gives to those who revere Him and place their trust in His compassion.
The historical context of the Psalms, including Psalm 33, is rooted in the worship traditions of ancient Israel. Many of the psalms are attributed to David, who was known as a man after God's own heart, and they served as songs of worship, lament, and praise in the Temple and in personal devotion. Psalm 33 does not have a specific historical event tied to it, but it reflects the broader spiritual life and theological understanding of the Israelites.
The themes of Psalm 33:18 include the watchful care of God ("the eye of the LORD") for those who live in awe and reverence of Him ("them that fear him"). It also highlights the importance of hope ("them that hope in his mercy") as a foundational aspect of the relationship between God and His people. The verse suggests that God's mercy is a source of comfort and expectation for those who maintain a posture of humility and trust before Him.
In summary, Psalm 33:18 encapsulates the assurance that God is attentive to and mindful of those who fear and trust in Him. It reflects the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, assuring the faithful that they are under divine protection and care, and it encourages a stance of hopeful reliance on God's steadfast love and mercy. This verse, like many in the Psalms, would have been a source of comfort and strength for the ancient Israelites and continues to be so for believers today who find in it a timeless message of God's personal involvement in the lives of those who seek Him.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5869
There are 830 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַיִן
Transliteration: ʻayin
Pronunciation: ah'-yin
Description: probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape); affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H3373
There are 63 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָרֵא
Transliteration: yârêʼ
Pronunciation: yaw-ray'
Description: from יָרֵא; fearing; morally, reverent; afraid, fear (-ful). - Strong's Number: H3176
There are 41 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָחַל
Transliteration: yâchal
Pronunciation: yaw-chal'
Description: a primitive root; to wait; by implication, to be patient, hope; (cause to, have, make to) hope, be pained, stay, tarry, trust, wait. - Strong's Number: H2617
There are 241 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֵסֵד
Transliteration: chêçêd
Pronunciation: kheh'-sed
Description: from חָסַד; kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty; favour, good deed(-liness, -ness), kindly, (loving-) kindness, merciful (kindness), mercy, pity, reproach, wicked thing.