Verse

Psalm chapter 50

English Standard Version

1A Psalm of Asaph. The Mighty One, God the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. 2Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth. 3Our God comes; he does not keep silence; before him is a devouring fire, around him a mighty tempest. 4He calls to the heavens above and to the earth, that he may judge his people: 5“Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!” 6The heavens declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge! Selah 7“Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, I will testify against you. I am God, your God. 8Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you; your burnt offerings are continually before me. 9I will not accept a bull from your house or goats from your folds. 10For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. 11I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine. 12“If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine. 13Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats? 14Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, 15and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” 16But to the wicked God says: “What right have you to recite my statutes or take my covenant on your lips? 17For you hate discipline, and you cast my words behind you. 18If you see a thief, you are pleased with him, and you keep company with adulterers. 19“You give your mouth free rein for evil, and your tongue frames deceit. 20You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother’s son. 21These things you have done, and I have been silent; you thought that I was one like yourself. But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you. 22“Mark this, then, you who forget God, lest I tear you apart, and there be none to deliver! 23The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!”
New International Version

New American Standard Bible

1 The Mighty One, God, the Lord, has spoken And summoned the earth, from the rising of the sun to its setting. 2Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God has shone. 3May our God come and not keep silent; Fire devours before Him, And a storm is violently raging around Him. 4He summons the heavens above, And the earth, to judge His people: 5'Gather My godly ones to Me, Those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.' 6And the heavens declare His righteousness, For God Himself is judge. Selah 7'Hear, My people, and I will speak; Israel, I will testify against you; I am God, your God. 8I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices, And your burnt offerings are continually before Me. 9I will not take a bull from your house, Nor male goats from your folds. 10For every animal of the forest is Mine, The cattle on a thousand hills. 11I know every bird of the mountains, And everything that moves in the field is Mine. 12If I were hungry I would not tell you, For the world is Mine, and everything it contains. 13Shall I eat the flesh of bulls Or drink the blood of male goats? 14Offer God a sacrifice of thanksgiving And pay your vows to the Most High; 15Call upon Me on the day of trouble; I will rescue you, and you will honor Me.' 16But to the wicked God says, 'What right do you have to tell of My statutes And to take My covenant in your mouth? 17For you yourself hate discipline, And you throw My words behind you. 18When you see a thief, you become friends with him, And you associate with adulterers. 19You let your mouth loose in evil, And your tongue harnesses deceit. 20You sit and speak against your brother; You slander your own mother’s son. 21These things you have done and I kept silent; You thought that I was just like you; I will rebuke you and present the case before your eyes. 22'Now consider this, you who forget God, Or I will tear you in pieces, and there will be no one to save you. 23He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me; And to him who sets his way properly I will show the salvation of God.'
Christian Standard Bible

New Living Translation

King James Version

What does Psalm chapter 50 mean?

This segment was written by Asaph, who also composed psalms 73—83. His other works include frustration at the hypocrisy of his era and God's delayed response (Psalm 73:2–3; 74:10). Asaph was a worship leader during the time of David (1 Chronicles 16:7, 37).

In dramatic language, the psalm describes God as the transcendent Judge coming to deliver a verdict. The entire world is commanded to hear His statement. The introduction is like Joshua 22:22; it provides a three-part identification which calls Him "The Mighty One," "God," and "the Lᴏʀᴅ." His glory is like brilliant light, fire, and storms. God addresses His people, the nation of Israel (Psalm 50:1–6).

God's complaint against Israel is not that they fail to offer sacrifices. Rather, they offer sacrifices constantly, but the Lord does not accept them. He clarifies that He does not "need" to be given animals, since He already owns everything in creation. Nor does God require food. His purpose in commanding sacrifice is deeper than mindlessly performing rituals. His will is for Israel to perform these rites with a spirit of gratitude and humility. That glorifies God and invites His salvation (Psalm 50:7–15).

Instead, Israel had been arrogantly throwing the Lord's commandments aside and living in blatant sin. God makes note of explicit violations of the Ten Commandments, including theft and adultery (Exodus 20:14–15). The nation has been engaged in division and slander (Exodus 20:16); they tear each other apart, spiritually, while assuming God will not answer. His patience is not weakness, however. Those who refuse to repent will be torn apart, literally, without any hope of rescue. Those who seek the Lord with sincerity and gratitude will see "the salvation of God" (Psalm 50:16–23).
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