◄ What Does Psalm 33:12 Mean? ►

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.

Psalm 33:12(NASB)

Verse of the Day

These meaningful words, probably written by King David, were naturally directed towards the chosen people of Israel, for they were surrounded by a sea of pagan nations who worshipped false gods and empty idols. How blessed they were to have the Lord as their God. How blessed they were to have a covenant-keeping God Who is the Creator of the universe. How blessed they were to be His chosen people. The nation of Israel was God’s adopted son, and His special inheritance.

This psalm is a call for the upright to worship the God of Israel, for the praises of God's people are beautiful in the sight of the Lord. The psalmist called God's people to praise Him with the harp and play skilfully on musical instruments. They were instructed to make melody to Him using a ten-stringed instrument and to praise Him with shouts of joy. Their praise and worship was to be fresh and new. They were to worship Him in spirit, in truth, in love, and in the beauty of holiness.

The psalmist expanded his song of praise by glorifying God as Creator of heaven and earth and expressing great reverence for the Lord with an appeal for the whole earth to fear the Lord and a call for all the nations of the world to stand in awe of Him. But as he considers the greatness of God, the psalmist seems to be reminded of the unique position that Israel holds in God's plans and purposes, for Israel are the people of God.

Israel is the only nation with whom the Lord made a covenant. Israel is the nation through whom God chose to communicate His plan of redemption. The prophets of Israel were used to write the Scriptures and reveal His most holy Word - and Israel is the nation through whom the Saviour of the world was to be born. While there are some nations who have sought to honour the God of Israel in their laws and decrees, this verse makes it very clear that Israel has a unique relationship with the Lord because He chose them to be His own inheritance - which is why, in verse 12, we read: "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD - the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance."

Israel holds a special place in God's redemptive plan for it was through the nation of Israel that JESUS, the Redeemer of the world was born, and we who have been saved by grace through faith in Him are beneficiaries of this blessing, in this unique age of grace. We are the Body of Christ and united together in Him. We are identified with Him and one with Him through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. His arms remain wide open to Jew and Gentile alike who are called to bring forth the fruit that God requires. We too are a chosen generation and a holy nation.

We too are a peculiar people set apart unto Him for, like Israel, the Church also holds a special place in God's redemptive plan. How blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD. How blessed is Israel! How blessed is the Church! How blessed are the people who belong to Him. How blessed are those that are born again in Christ in this dispensation of grace, for we are also chosen as His own inheritance - we too identify as sons of God and joint-heirs with Christ.

Jesus is not only the great Sustainer of nature and the generous God of providence, but He is our peace and hope, love and joy, and He is our Comforter, Defender – our Saviour and Friend. Rebellious man, pagan people, secular societies, and hedonistic nations are blinded to the truth of His Word, opposed to His way, cynical of His life, and hostile to Him, unaware that they could not draw another breath, either to bless Him or to curse Him, without His great, sustaining power.

The nations of the world have chosen to rebel against the Lord, and His hand of blessing is being withdrawn before He comes to address the evil of this age during the 7 year Tribulation period. Israel will always be the nation whose God is the Lord, but Israel has been set aside for a season until "the fullness of the Gentiles has come in." But Paul tells us, "all Israel will be saved," when they repent of their sin, return to the God of their fathers, and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ - which they will do as a nation at the end of the Tribulation period (the time of Jacob’s Trouble - that future time of great distress).

But truly blessed, without measure, is the man, the woman, the people – the nation whose God is the LORD. Truly blessed are His people Israel and His Body, which is the Church, for He loved the world so much that He sent His only begotten Son that whosoever believes on Him should not perish but become inheritors of His coming kingdom and be given life everlasting – and ALL His promises, both to Israel and to the Church are 'Yes' and 'Amen' in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Praise His holy name.

My Prayer

Loving Father, I thank You that I am Your child and that Your promises to both Israel and the Church are irrevocable. Look down with pity on those that are lost in trespasses and sins and I pray that many more people may come to faith in Jesus Christ Who is the only way, the only truth, the only life, and the only Saviour. In His name I pray, AMEN.