Psalms 33:9

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 33:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For he spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For he spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.
Psalms 33:9 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 33

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
9For he spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For he spake, and it was [done], etc.] Or “it was” f483, it came into being by a word speaking, almighty power going along with it; (see <010103> Genesis 1:3,6,7,9,11,14,15,20,24); he commanded, and it stood fast; every created thing continued in its being; not only all things were produced into being by his all commanding word and power, “nutu Jovis”, as Maximus Tyrius speaks f484; but by the same all things are upheld and consist, (<580103>Hebrews 1:3) (<510117>Colossians 1:17). The poet f485 uses the same word of God in the creation of things; and is the phrase in (<010103>Genesis 1:3) admired by Longinus f486: or this may refer to the implantation of the grace of fear in the hearts of…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“he spake--literally, "said." it was--The addition of "done" weakens the sense (compare Gen 1:3-10).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For he spake, and it was done - The word “done,” introduced here by our translators, enfeebles the sentence. It would be made more expressive and sublime as it is in the original: “He spake, and it was.” That is, Its existence depended on his word; the universe sprang into being at his command; he had only to speak, and it arose in all its grandeur where before there was nothing. There is here an undoubted allusion to the account in Genesis of the work of creation - where the statement is that all depended on the command or the word of God: Genesis 1:3, Genesis 1:6,Genesis 1:9, Genesis 1:11, Genesis 1:14, Genesis 1:20, Genesis 1:24, Genesis 1:26. Nothing more sublime can be conceived than…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“For: Psa 33:6, Psa 148:5, Psa 148:6; Gen 1:3; Heb 11:3 and it stood: Psa 93:5, Psa 119:90, Psa 119:91; Col 1:16, Col 1:17; Heb 1:3; Rev 4:11 Psalms 33:10”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification