<p><em>Psalm 33</em> is a song of praise to God, combining poetry, theology, and the history of the people of Israel. In verse 5, <em>David</em> proclaims a fundamental truth about God's nature: He loves justice and righteousness.</p>
<p>Here, the word "righteousness" refers to fairness in the treatment of people, not legal norms. That is, God strives not only for everything to be done according to the law, but also for no one to be excluded or disadvantaged because of their social status, race, or gender.</p>
<p><strong>The justice and righteousness of the Lord</strong></p>
<p>God's love for justice and righteousness is manifested in His providence, His government of the world. The earth, like all living things that inhabit it, is in God's hands. He sustains life, provides for our needs, and protects us from dangers and disasters.</p>
<p>But most importantly, the earth is filled with the Lord's mercy. Mercy is a willingness to forgive and to treat with kindness those who deserve punishment or indifference. Mercy is the essence of God's love, which saves us from sin and restores us to His image and likeness.</p>