Clarke's Bible Commentary - Psalms 33:18
Verse 18. A broken heart ] bl yrbn nishberey Web, the heart broken to shivers. A contrite spirit. ] jwr yakd dakkeey ruach, "the beaten-out spirit." In both words the hammer is necessarily implied; in breaking to pieces the ore first, and then plating out the metal when it has been separated from the ore. This will call to the reader's remembrance Jer. xxiii. x19: "Is not my word like as a fire, saith the Lord? And like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?" The breaking to shivers, and beating out, are metaphorical expressions: so are the hammer and the rock. What the large hammer struck on a rock by a powerful hand would do, so does the word of the Lord when struck on the sinner's heart by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The broken heart, and the contrite spirit, are two essential characteristics of true repentance.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 11-22 - Let young persons set out in life with learning the fear of the Lord if they desire true comfort here, and eternal happiness hereafter Those will be most happy who begin the soonest to serve so good Master. All aim to be happy. Surely this must look further than the present world; for man's life on earth consists but of few days, an those full of trouble. What man is he that would see the good of tha where all bliss is perfect? Alas! few have this good in their thoughts That religion promises best which creates watchfulness over the hear and over the tongue. It is not enough not to do hurt, we must study to be useful, and to live to some purpose; we must seek peace and pursu it; be willing to deny ourselves a great deal for peace' sake. It is the constant practice of real believers, when in distress, to cry unt God, and it is their constant comfort that he hears them. The righteou are humbled for sin, and are low in their own eyes. Nothing is mor needful to true godliness than a contrite heart, broken off from ever self-confidence. In this soil every grace will flourish, and nothin can encourage such a one but the free, rich grace of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The righteous are taken under the special protection of the Lord, yet they have their share of crosses in this world, and ther are those that hate them. Both from the mercy of Heaven, and the malic of hell, the afflictions of the righteous must be many. But whateve troubles befall them, shall not hurt their souls, for God keeps the from sinning in troubles. No man is desolate, but he whom God ha forsaken __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
קרוב 7138 יהוה 3068 לנשׁברי 7665 לב 3820 ואת 853 דכאי 1793 רוח 7307 יושׁיע׃ 3467
