What does Psalm 50:4 mean?

Asaph began this psalm by depicting God's unimaginable power and glory (Psalm 50:1–3). He describes the Lord arriving to pronounce judgment. Here, God once again speaks to all creation as He delivers a verdict. This sentence applies to God's chosen people, the nation of Israel (Exodus 6:7).

By God's word heaven and earth were formed (Genesis 1:1; Hebrews 11:3). The entire universe is His to command. When Moses assembled Israel, he began a song with the words, "Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak, and let the earth hear the words of my mouth" (Deuteronomy 32:1). Similarly, Isaiah began his indictment of wayward Israel with the words. "Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lᴏʀᴅ has spoken" (Isaiah 1:2). Micah's message to Judah begins: "Hear, you people, all of you; pay attention, O earth, and all that is in it, and let the Lord Gᴏʀᴅ be a witness against you, the Lord from his holy temple" (Micah 1:2).