Psalms 50:4-6. He shall call to the heavens— Mr. Mudge reads the 5th verse in a parenthesis, and renders the 4th verse thus; He calleth to the heavens above, and to the earth, in order for the trial of his people. read more
4. above—literally, "above" (Genesis 1:7). heavens . . . earth—For all creatures are witnesses (Deuteronomy 4:26; Deuteronomy 30:19; Isaiah 1:2). read more
1. The heavenly Judge 50:1-6 read more
Psalms 50This psalm pictures God seated in His heavenly throne room. He has two indictments against His people Israel. The wicked among them were hypocritical in their worship, a violation of the first part of the Decalogue, and in their interpersonal relationships, a violation of the second part. They needed to return to Him wholeheartedly. This is a didactic psalm written to teach God’s people an important lesson."This psalm is the speech of God, who addresses his covenant partner concerning... read more
Asaph described God summoning those living in heaven, the angels, and on earth, mortals, to serve as witnesses in the trial. Israel is the defendant. The covenant in view is the Mosaic Covenant, under which the nation had obligations to God. The writer called on the angels to declare the Judge righteous, a way of affirming that He is just. read more
The title (A PsALM of Asaph) is discussed in Intro, to Book 3, where the other Pss. of Asaph are found. The present Ps. is one of solemn warning to those who attempt to serve God by formal sacrifices while their lives are full of wickedness. God will come to judge His people (Psalms 50:1-6). He tells the formalists that He does not need animal sacrifices (Psalms 50:7-13), and asks for praise, obedience, and prayer (Psalms 50:14-15). He reproves the hypocrites for their sins (Psalms 50:16-20)... read more
(4) He shall call.—Better, He calls. The poet actually hears the summons go forth calling heaven and earth as witnesses, or assessors (comp. Micah 6:2), of the judgment scene. (Comp. Deuteronomy 4:26; Deuteronomy 32:1; Isaiah 1:2; Micah 1:2; 1Ma. 2:37.)Israel, politically so insignificant, must have been profoundly conscious of the tremendous issues involved in its religious character to demand a theatre so vast, an audience so august. read more
The Sacrifice of Thanksgiving Psalms 50:23 I. 'What is it to glorify God?' 'When and how do we glorify God?' This question is constantly rising before us, for we know this is our business as disciples of Jesus Christ. 'Whoso offereth praise, whoso offereth thanksgiving, glorifies God.' That is the Divine answer. Then we ask, What is the sacrifice of praise? Praise has a thousand voices. The songful lip expresses itself in myriad ways; but the essence of every sacrifice is the adoring,... read more
Psalms 50:1-23This is the first of the Asaph psalms, and is separated from the other eleven (Psalms 73:1-28; Psalms 74:1-23; Psalms 75:1-10; Psalms 76:1-12; Psalms 77:1-20; Psalms 78:1-72; Psalms 79:1-13; Psalms 80:1-19; Psalms 81:1-16; Psalms 82:1-8; Psalms 83:1-18) for reasons that do not appear. Probably they are no more recondite than the verbal resemblance between the summons to all the earth at the beginning of Psalms 49:1 and the similar proclamation in the first verses of Psalms... read more
Get a Bible verse delivered to your inbox every day!
Read on Mobile
Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 50:1-23
Psalms 50:0 True worshipIn a scene that displays his awesome majesty, God commands the whole world to stand before his judgment throne (1-3). He is the righteous judge of all the peoples of the world, and his first call to judgment concerns his own people, Israel (4-6).God’s complaint against the Israelites is not that they have failed to offer sacrifices and offerings. Indeed, they have offered them continually (7-8). But God will not accept their offerings. Instead of offering their... read more