Psalms 33:19

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.

Complete Jewish Bible:

to rescue them from death and keep them alive in famine.

Berean Standard Bible:

to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.

American Standard Version:

To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

To deliver{H5337} their soul{H5315} from death{H4194}, and to keep them alive{H2421} in famine{H7458}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Psalms 37:19

  • They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

Proverbs 10:3

  • The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.

Job 5:19

  • He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.

Job 5:22

  • At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth.

John 10:28

  • And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand.

Matthew 6:31

  • Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

Matthew 6:33

  • But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

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Commentary for Psalms 33:19

Psalm 33:19, which reads, "To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine," is part of a larger psalm of praise that emphasizes the power, faithfulness, and trustworthiness of God. This particular verse highlights the theme of divine deliverance and provision, asserting that God is capable of rescuing individuals from life-threatening situations, such as death and famine.

The historical context of the Psalms, including Psalm 33, is rooted in the worship traditions of ancient Israel. Many of the psalms were used in temple liturgy, sung by the Levitical choirs, or recited by individuals in both public and private devotion. They often reflect the lived experiences of the Israelites, who faced various adversities, including war, exile, and natural disasters.

In the broader context of Psalm 33, the psalmist calls the community to worship Yahweh, the God of Israel, who is sovereign over creation and history. The psalm opens with an invitation to praise God with music and song, acknowledging His creative power and His role as the one who watches over humanity. It speaks of God's plans for the world and His ultimate authority, which can nullify the plans of nations and individuals.

Psalm 33:19 specifically addresses the Lord's intervention in the lives of the faithful. It reflects a theology that sees God as actively involved in the world, capable of sustaining life even in the face of dire circumstances like famine, which was a common and feared occurrence in the agrarian societies of biblical times. The verse reassures the faithful that their trust in God is well-placed and that He is their ultimate source of hope and salvation.

In summary, Psalm 33:19 encapsulates the themes of divine rescue, sustenance, and the steadfast love of God, which are central to the faith of ancient Israel and continue to resonate with believers seeking comfort and assurance in their own challenging times.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H5337
    There are 194 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: נָצַל
    Transliteration: nâtsal
    Pronunciation: naw-tsal'
    Description: a primitive root; to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense; [idiom] at all, defend, deliver (self), escape, [idiom] without fail, part, pluck, preserve, recover, rescue, rid, save, spoil, strip, [idiom] surely, take (out).
  2. Strong's Number: H5315
    There are 683 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: נֶפֶשׁ
    Transliteration: nephesh
    Pronunciation: neh'-fesh
    Description: from נָפַשׁ; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental); any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it.
  3. Strong's Number: H4194
    There are 155 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מָוֶת
    Transliteration: mâveth
    Pronunciation: maw'-veth
    Description: from מוּת; death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin; (be) dead(-ly), death, die(-d).
  4. Strong's Number: H2421
    There are 235 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: חָיָה
    Transliteration: châyâh
    Pronunciation: khaw-yaw'
    Description: a primitive root (compare חָוָה, חָיָה); to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive; keep (leave, make) alive, [idiom] certainly, give (promise) life, (let, suffer to) live, nourish up, preserve (alive), quicken, recover, repair, restore (to life), revive, ([idiom] God) save (alive, life, lives), [idiom] surely, be whole.
  5. Strong's Number: H7458
    There are 88 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: רָעָב
    Transliteration: râʻâb
    Pronunciation: raw-awb'
    Description: from רָעֵב; hunger (more or less extensive); dearth, famine, [phrase] famished, hunger.