(19) Givest.—Literally, lettest loose.Frameth.—Literally, weaves. So LXX. To weave snares is a common figure in all languages. Comp.“My brain, more busy than the labouring spider,Weaves tedious snares to trap mine enemies.”SHAKSPERE: 2 Henry VI. 3:2. read more
(20) Sittest.—Rather, as in Psalms 10:8; Psalms 17:12, lurkest.Slanderest.—Literally, givest a thrust; but, from the parallelism, used of words that often hurt more than blows.Mother’s son.—In a country where polygamy was practised, this marks a closer relationship than the more general “brother” would do. (See Song of Solomon 1:6, Note.) 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
Psalms 50:0 The Demands of a Righteous God 1. His coming and His call (Psalms 50:1-6 ) 2. The God of Israel speaks (Psalms 50:7-13 ) 3. The demands of righteousness (Psalms 50:16-21 ) Psalms 50:1-23 ; Psalms 51:1-19 belong together. In the first God is described coming to Israel, proclaiming His righteousness and demanding righteousness from His people and in the second Israel makes confession of sin. Psalms 50:1-23 is by Asaph. He describes the Lord shining out of Zion, coming in glory... read more
50:20 Thou {p} sittest [and] speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother’s son.(p) He notes the cruelty of hypocrites who in their talk or judgment do not spare their own mother’s sons. read more
Psalms 38:0 An appeal to God from chastisement because of iniquity (Psalms 38:1-4 ). The mental anguish is described in figures of physical disease, and yet it is not impossible that such disease may have been part of the chastisement (Psalms 38:5-8 ). The desertion of friends and the opposition of enemies also entered into it (Psalms 38:10-17 ). There are verses susceptible of an application to Christ, but others would prevent its application as a whole to him. Psalms 40:0 Messianic (compare... read more
Religion Nothing Without Morality Psalms 50:0 This is a psalm of Asaph. This is the first psalm of Asaph found in this section of the Psalter. Every man must speak in his own natural style, and the style of this leader of choir, who was also a poet, is a style of supreme loftiness and majesty, which would not become the narrower capacity, the lower intellect, of meaner men. We must join him where we can in this song of thunder. He will affright us, as majesty affrights some visions; yet he... read more
This seems to be a solemn remonstrance and expostulation with the unbelieving and hypocritical Jews, who rested in the means, and totally overlooked and even despised the end: who, as our Lord told them in his days, tithed mint, anise, and cummin, but neglected the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith; Matthew 23:23 . The Apostle hath a similar address of charges on his countrymen, the Jews, Romans 2:17 , etc. read more
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John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 50:1-23
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