The Meaning of Psalms 33:12 Explained

Psalms 33:12

KJV: Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

YLT: O the happiness of the nation whose God is Jehovah, Of the people He did choose, For an inheritance to Him.

Darby: Blessed is the nation whose God is Jehovah, the people that he hath chosen for his inheritance!

ASV: Blessed is the nation whose God is Jehovah, The people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Blessed  [is] the nation  whose God  [is] the LORD;  [and] the people  [whom] he hath chosen  for his own inheritance. 

What does Psalms 33:12 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 33:1-12 - "the Word Of Jehovah"
This psalm is eminently calculated to incite praise. Let us note the subjects which are touched upon, in the hope that presently one may strike a spark at which our cold hearts shall flame up.
The words and works of Jehovah are the first to pass in review, Psalms 33:4. Let us never forget that nothing was made apart from our Lord Jesus. He is emphatically the Word through whom the creative fiat went forth, John 1:3; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2. It is good, as we contemplate the beauties and wonders of creation, to turn in praise to Him, whose parables disclose the secrets which be hid in the works of His hands. If creation proceeded by the stages of evolution, it was due to His initiative and under His superintendence.
Note the vivid touches with which the work of creation is described in Psalms 33:6-9. Then turn to the description of God's providential government, Psalms 33:10-12. We are said to be God's inheritance. See Psalms 33:12. Ephesians 1:11 also tells us that we inherit Him, and Psalms 33:18 that He inherits us. Bring every inch of us under thy tillage, Great Occupier! [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 33

1  God is to be praised for his goodness
6  for his power
12  and for his providence
20  Confidence is to be placed in God

What do the individual words in Psalms 33:12 mean?

Blessed [is] the nation whose Yahweh God [is] the people He has chosen as own inheritance His
אַשְׁרֵ֣י הַ֭גּוֹי אֲשֶׁר־ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהָ֑יו הָעָ֓ם ׀ בָּחַ֖ר לְנַחֲלָ֣ה לֽוֹ

אַשְׁרֵ֣י  Blessed  [is] 
Parse: Interjection
Root: אֶשֶׁר 
Sense: happiness, blessedness.
הַ֭גּוֹי  the  nation 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: גֹּוי 
Sense: nation, people.
אֲשֶׁר־  whose 
Parse: Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
יְהוָ֣ה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
אֱלֹהָ֑יו  God  [is] 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, third person masculine singular
Root: אֱלֹהִים  
Sense: (plural).
הָעָ֓ם ׀  the  people 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: עַם 
Sense: nation, people.
בָּחַ֖ר  He  has  chosen 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: בָּחוּר 
Sense: to choose, elect, decide for.
לְנַחֲלָ֣ה  as  own  inheritance 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, feminine singular
Root: נַחֲלָה  
Sense: possession, property, inheritance, heritage.
לֽוֹ  His 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine singular