While even the more godly among the Israelites have been thus, to a certain extent, reproved ( Psalms 50:8-14 ), the psalmist now addresses to the ungodly, the open and wilful transgressors, a far sterner rebuke. They claim the privileges of God's covenanted servants ( Psalms 50:16 ), but perform none of the duties ( Psalms 50:17-20 ), thus bringing down upon themselves a terrible menace. read more
Hypocrisy. God speaks to the whole nation in the previous part of the psalm; here to hypocrites. I. THEY MADE PROFESSION OF RELIGION , WHICH THEIR LIVES CONTRADICTED . ( Psalms 50:16-20 .) 1 . They treated the Divine Law with open contempt. ( Psalms 50:17 .) Because they "hated" the control that it imposes. 2 . They were guilty of the grossest violations of that Law. ( Psalms 50:18-20 .) Theft, adultery, and false witness, not only against their... read more
These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself. Because God did not interpose openly to punish the sins committed, the transgressor dared to imagine him to be indifferent to sin, "such an one as himself"—no holier, no purer, no more averse to evil. But I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes . But now the time is come when I shall no longer keep silence; I shall openly "reprove" thee, and marshal in set... read more
Thoughts of God. "Thou thoughtest … as thyself." What a man thinks in his heart of God is the turning-point of life and character. If we think "all things are naked and opened," etc. ( Hebrews 4:13 ), that we really "have to do" with God, this must needs tell on our whole view of life, from its greatest affairs to its least. If we think God takes no note of sin, we shall be careless of sin. If we think of God as severe, implacable, unjust, we may fear him, but cannot love him. If we... read more
Now consider this, ye that forget God . Having been "reproved," the wicked are now, in conclusion, exhorted and warned. "Consider this;" i.e. take it to heart, reflect upon it, let it sink deeply into your minds and consciences, and act upon it. Lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. A most awful threat. To "tear in pieces" is the act of a wild beast ( Psalms 7:2 ). Job declares that God "teareth him;" but otherwise the expression is scarcely used of Divine... read more
Forgetfulness of God. "Now consider," etc. The prevailing character of the Book of Psalms is that Divine truth is clothed in the language of human experience. But in this psalm God alone speaks. The personality of the psalmist vanishes. Man's voice is hushed. We are called into the very presence of God, like Israel at the foot of Sinai. It is God's voice that summons us to judgment, and sets our sins in order before our eyes. Yet it is the voice of merciful warning. "Consider!" ( Isaiah... read more
These things hast thou done, and I kept silence - Compare the notes at Isaiah 18:4. The meaning is, that while they did these things - while they committed these abominations - he did not interfere. He did not come forth in his anger to destroy them. He had borne all this with patience. He had borne this until it was now time that he should interpose Isaiah 18:3, and state the true principles of his government, and warn then of the consequences of such a course of sin and hypocrisy. Compare the... read more
Now consider this - Understand this; give attention to this. The word “now” does not well express the force of the original. The Hebrew word is not an adverb of “time,” but a particle denoting “entreaty,” and would be better rendered by, “Oh, consider this;” or, “Consider this, I beseech you.” The matter is presented to them as that which deserved their most solemn attention.Ye that forget God - Who really forget him though you are professedly engaged in his worship; who, amidst the forms of... read more
Psalms 50:21. These things hast thou done, and I kept silence I did not express my displeasure against thee in such grievous judgments as thou didst deserve. Or, I was deaf: I conducted myself like one that did not hear thy sinful speeches, nor see, or take any notice of thy wicked actions. And thou thoughtest, &c. Thou didst misconstrue and abuse my patience and long-suffering, as if it had proceeded from my not noticing, or not regarding thy evil courses, or from my approving of... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 50:7-21
True religion and its counterfeits. The great evil to which Israel was exposed was the separation of religion from morality. This comes out lamentably in their history, and forms the burden of much of the teaching of their prophets. So in this psalm, which contains a powerful demonstration of the worthlessness of religion without godliness. The psalm may help us to consider true religion and its counterfeits. I. SUPERSTITION . ( Psalms 50:7 .) Nothing in religion can be real and... read more