1 <A Psalm. Of Asaph.> The God of gods, even the Lord, has sent out his voice, and the earth is full of fear; from the coming up of the sun to its going down.
2 From Zion, most beautiful of places, God has sent out his light.
3 Our God will come, and will not keep quiet; with fire burning before him, and storm-winds round him.
4 His voice will go out to the heavens and to the earth, for the judging of his people:
5 Let my saints come together to me; those who have made an agreement with me by offerings.
6 And let the heavens make clear his righteousness; for God himself is the judge. (Selah.)
7 Give ear, O my people, to my words; O Israel, I will be a witness against you; I am God, even your God.
8 I will not take up a cause against you because of your offerings, or because of your burned offerings, which are ever before me.
9 I will take no ox out of your house, or he-goats from your flocks;
10 For every beast of the woodland is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I see all the birds of the mountains, and the beasts of the field are mine.
12 If I had need of food, I would not give you word of it; for the earth is mine and all its wealth.
13 Am I to take the flesh of the ox for my food, or the blood of goats for my drink?
14 Make an offering of praise to God; keep the agreements which you have made with the Most High;
15 Let your voice come up to me in the day of trouble; I will be your saviour, so that you may give glory to me.
16 But to the sinner, God says, What are you doing, talking of my laws, or taking the words of my agreement in your mouth?
17 Seeing that you have no desire for my teaching, turning your back on my words.
18 When you saw a thief, you were in agreement with him, and you were joined with those who took other men's wives.
19 You have given your mouth to evil, your tongue to words of deceit.
20 You say evil of your brother; you make false statements against your mother's son.
21 These things have you done, and I said nothing; it seemed to you that I was such a one as yourself; but I will make a protest against you, and put them in order before your eyes.
22 Now keep this in mind, you who have no memory of God, for fear that you may be crushed under my hand, with no one to give you help:
23 Whoever makes an offering of praise gives glory to me; and to him who is upright in his ways I will make clear the salvation of God.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 50
Commentary on Psalms 50 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 50
Ps 50:1-23. In the grandeur and solemnity of a divine judgment, God is introduced as instructing men in the nature of true worship, exposing hypocrisy, warning the wicked, and encouraging the pious.
1-4. The description of this majestic appearance of God resembles that of His giving the law (compare Ex 19:16; 20:18; De 32:1).
4. above—literally, "above" (Ge 1:7).
heavens … earth—For all creatures are witnesses (De 4:26; 30:19; Isa 1:2).
5. my saints—(Ps 4:3).
made—literally, "cut"
a covenant, &c.—alluding to the dividing of a victim of sacrifice, by which covenants were ratified, the parties passing between the divided portions (compare Ge 15:10, 18).
6. The inhabitants of heaven, who well know God's character, attest His righteousness as a judge.
7. I will testify—that is, for failure to worship aught.
thy God—and so, by covenant as well as creation, entitled to a pure worship.
8-15. However scrupulous in external worship, it was offered as if they conferred an obligation in giving God His own, and with a degrading view of Him as needing it [Ps 50:9-13]. Reproving them for such foolish and blasphemous notions, He teaches them to offer, or literally, "sacrifice," thanksgiving, and pay, or perform, their vows—that is, to bring, with the external symbolical service, the homage of the heart, and faith, penitence, and love. To this is added an invitation to seek, and a promise to afford, all needed help in trouble.
16-20. the wicked—that is, the formalists, as now exposed, and who lead vicious lives (compare Ro 2:21, 23). They are unworthy to use even the words of God's law. Their hypocrisy and vice are exposed by illustrations from sins against the seventh, eighth, and ninth commandments.
21, 22. God, no longer (even in appearance) disregarding such, exposes their sins and threatens a terrible punishment.
22. forget God—This denotes unmindfulness of His true character.
23. offereth praise—(Ps 50:14), so that the external worship is a true index of the heart.
ordereth … aright—acts in a straight, right manner, opposed to turning aside (Ps 25:5). In such, pure worship and a pure life evince their true piety, and they will enjoy God's presence and favor.