Before we can talk about nations we must first consider people. Psalm 33:12 would show us that a blessed nation is composed of people that God has chosen as His inheritance. Proverbs 14:34 says, “Righteousness exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” We cannot think of a nation as some mere corporate entity. A nation is made of people. The condition of the nation depends on the condition of the people.

If we want to praise our nation for doing something good, we have the tendency to say “we.” If we want to condemn our nation for doing something bad, we have the tendency to say, “they.” Whether for good or bad, we must all own up to the fact that every one of us has something to do with the condition of our nation and how it is behaving. The country is divided on just about every issue. We all share responsibility for what we, as individuals, have done, or not done. We do not share that responsibility equally. Nevertheless, if you want to see a nation blessed you have to look at its people – How do they think? – How do they speak? – How do they live?

Despite the Biblical values that influenced the founding of our nation and the forming of its laws, we must look at the condition of its people to see whether this nation is blessed or will be blessed. Better laws don’t make better people. Better people make better laws. How, then, shall we make better people, but by the Gospel of Jesus Christ? (Romans 1:16-17; I Peter 1:18-25) Have the churches failed, in previous generations to reach the people of our nation with the Gospel? Our souls will be judged on an individual basis. Our nation, as a whole, will be judged by the long-term direction it takes. “The wicked shall be turned into hell [Sheol - the place of the dead] and all the nations that forget God.” (Psalm 9:17 cp. Psalm 2)

You may be frustrated, discouraged, fearful, or even enraged at the present condition of our nation and the direction it is headed. In order to be encouraged and to maintain our personal sense of direction, Psalm 33 has something to offer.

People should take pleasure in the Lord and worship Him. Worshippers should be pure-hearted. The praise of God should affect our culture (i.e. music). Psalm 33:1-3 cp. Psalm 32:11

People should worship God because of the truth He has given us (the Bible) and treatment that He has done for us (mercy and goodness). Psalm 33:4-5 cp. Psalm 23 & 56

People should worship God by acknowledging that He is their Creator and Care-giver. Psalm 33:6-7 cp. Psalm 100.

People should encourage others (the whole world) to love and honor the Lord. Psalm 33:8 cp. Psalm 34:1-3; Isaiah 12:2-6; Jeremiah 22:29.

People should worship the Lord because of His Sovereignty, Power and Wisdom. Psalm 33:9-10 cp. Romans 11:33-36.

People should worship the Lord because He can be trusted forever. Psalm 33:11-21 cp. Psalm 18:46-50; 22:26-28; 37:1-11; 46:1-11; 48:14; 136:1-26.

Where is the Blessed Nation?

When this Psalm was written Israel had a covenant with God. God’s protection and promises were upon them. They were like no other nation on earth (Isaiah 46:13; 49:3). But Israel forgot God and rebelled against His ways. Numerous times God sent afflictions upon them in order to correct them (Psalm 106). After rejecting and killing God’s Son (their Messiah) God scattered them for about 1900 years (Deuteronomy 28 & 29). Is God finished with them? Is there no more blessing for this nation of people? According to the promises of God and the character of God, He still has a future plan and purpose for the nation Israel (Romans 10:1-4; 11:1-5,11,25-32; Isaiah 44:21; 49:13-16; Jeremiah 31:35-36; 33:19-26; Zechariah 12:9-10).

In meantime, do we have a blessed nation today? Yes, but you cannot find it on a map. It has no geographical description. Peter describes those who are born again, by the Spirit of God and through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as a unique people of God. It doesn’t matter whether they are Jewish or Gentile. The color of their skin; their ethnicity; their location on earth is irrelevant. Those who have trusted Christ as their Savior are seen as God’s “chosen generation”, “royal priesthood” and “holy nation.” Before, they had no particular connection on this earth as a people group, but now they have joint citizenship in heaven (I Peter 1:18-25; 2:9-10 cp. Romans 1:16-17; Galatians 3:26-29; Ephesians 2:1-22).

The United States of America is our earthly country. We want it to be blessed, but it can only be blessed insofar as we see its people turn to Christ and be born again. May we find ourselves striving and praying towards this purpose – not merely being concerned with election outcomes (I Timothy 2:1-8).