What does Psalm 50:16 mean?

In the prior section, God noted that Israel performed required sacrifices (Psalm 50:8), but He rejected them (Psalm 50:9). The Lord began by noting that He did not "need" to be given what was already His (Psalm 50:10–13). The sacrifices were hollow, rather than sincere (Psalm 50:14–15). Now, God expands His complaint by comparing Israel's depraved conduct to their claims about a covenant relationship.

This passage follows a biblical pattern of rebuking religious dishonesty. Later verses note the sins in which Israel was wallowing (Psalm 50:17–21). To act in such ways, while hypocritically saying they were God's people, was especially offensive. Jesus brought a very personal application to this idea. He frequently scolded the religious leaders of His era for following God only "with their lips, but their heart is far from me" (Matthew 15:8, quoting Isaiah 29:13). It is hypocritical to have a mouth full of Scripture but a heart full of sin. The apostle Peter opposed hypocrisy along with sins like jealousy and slander (1 Peter 2:1). James describes heavenly wisdom as "impartial and sincere" (James 3:17).

Asaph wrote this psalm (Psalm 50:1), and expressed frustration with his own culture in other songs (Psalm 73:2–3; 74:10).