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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 50:16-23

God, by the psalmist, having instructed his people in the right way of worshipping him and keeping up their communion with him, here directs his speech to the wicked, to hypocrites, whether they were such as professed the Jewish or the Christian religion: hypocrisy is wickedness for which God will judge. Observe here, I. The charge drawn up against them. 1. They are charged with invading and usurping the honours and privileges of religion (Ps. 50:16): What has thou to do, O wicked man! to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 50:22

Now consider this ,.... The evils that had been committed, and repent of them; for repentance is an after thought and reconsideration of sin, and humiliation for it; that the Lord, was not like them, not an approver of sin, but a reprover for it; and what would be their latter end, what all this would issue in, in case of impenitence; ye that forget God ; that there is a God, his being, perfections, word, works, and benefits; lest I tear you in pieces ; as a lion, leopard, or bear;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 50:22

Now consider this - Ye have forgotten your God, and sinned against him. He has marked down all your iniquities, and has them in order to exhibit against you. Beware, therefore, lest he tear you to pieces, when there is none to deliver; for none can deliver you but the Christ you reject. And how can ye escape, if ye neglect so great a salvation? read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 50:22

Verse 22 22Now consider this, ye that forget God Here we have more of that severe expostulation which is absolutely necessary in dealing with hardened hypocrites, who otherwise will only deride all instruction. While, however, the Psalmist threatens and intends to alarm them, he would, at the same time, hold out to them the hope of pardon, upon their hastening to avail themselves of it. But to prevent them from giving way to delay, he warns them of the severity, as well as the suddenness, of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 50:1-23

The psalm consists of four portions: 1. An introduction (divided off by the pause-mark, "Selah," from the rest of the psalm), announcing the "appearance," and calling on heaven and earth to witness it ( Psalms 50:1-6 ). 2. An address to the godly Israelites ( Psalms 50:7-15 ). 3. An address to the ungodly Israelites ( Psalms 50:16-21 ). 4. A conclusion, divided equally between threat and promise ( Psalms 50:22 , Psalms 50:23 ). The psalm is ascribed to Asaph,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 50:1-23

The Judge, the judged, and the eternal judgment. A psalm-writer whom we have not met before, appears to have penned this psalm—Asaph. But whether it was by him or for his choir is somewhat uncertain. " Asaph was the leader and superintendent of the Levitic choirs appointed by David ( 1 Chronicles 16:4 , 1 Chronicles 16:5 ; cf. 2 Chronicles 29:30 ). He and his sons presided over four out of the twenty-four groups, consisting each of twelve Levites, who conducted, in turn, the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 50:1-23

God the righteous Judge. I. THAT GOD WILL JUDGE ALL MEN . Even now there is judgment. Every act of our lives has its moral character, and carries its consequences of good or evil. But this judgment is but partial and incomplete. Reason, conscience, and Holy Scripture proclaim a judgment to come which will be perfect and final. The supreme Judge of all men is God. He and he alone has the right and the power. Be has perfect knowledge, and cannot err; he has absolute... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 50:16-23

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 50:22

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 50:22

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

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