Psalms 50:16 - Exposition

But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? The wicked assumed that they were true Israelites. They were familiar with the words of God's statutes, and with the terms of the covenant. They claimed the right of enforcing them against others ( Romans 2:18-20 ), while in their own persons they set them at nought ( Psalms 50:18-20 ). God declares that they have no right to assume to be teachers of others until they have taught themselves—they are unfit even to "take his covenant in their mouth."