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12 [a]Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
    the people whom he has chosen as his heritage.[b]
13 [c]The Lord gazes down from heaven
    and beholds the entire human race.
14 From his royal throne
    he watches all who dwell on the earth.
15 He who has fashioned the hearts of them all
    observes everything they do.
16 A king is not saved by a large army,
    nor is a warrior delivered by great strength.
17 A horse offers false hope for victory;
    despite its power it cannot save.
18 [d]But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,
    on those who trust in his kindness,
19 to deliver them from death
    and to preserve their lives in time of famine.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 33:12 The psalmist now meditates on the election of God’s people, after he has stressed the Lord’s power and steadfast carrying out of his plans.
  2. Psalm 33:12 The Lord freely chose his people as his heritage (see Pss 28:9; 74:2; 78:62, 71; 94:5, 14; 106:5, 40; Ex 19:5; Deut 4:20; 9:26, 29).
  3. Psalm 33:13 The Lord sees everything that happens on earth (vv. 13-15) and controls human destinies. Hearts: see note on Ps 4:8.
  4. Psalm 33:18 Success in any venture does not depend on earthly means but on God alone, who watches over his faithful and delivers them from death and every danger. Eyes of the Lord: a metaphor for the Lord’s loving care. Kindness: see note on Ps 6:5.