Psalm 50, Summon the Earth

A psalm of Asaph.

Asaph is another of the collection of psalmists, like the Sons of Korah. The other psalms of Asaph occur in Book III.

Psalm 50: 1-4, The universe summoned

 The Mighty One, God, the LORD, 

speaks and summons the earth

 from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets.

 From Zion, perfect in beauty, 

God shines forth.

 Our God comes and will not be silent; 

a fire devours before him, 

and around him a tempest rages.

 He summons the heavens above, 

and the earth, 

that he may judge his people:

The earth and heavens give testimony to God's creation.  Paul, in the New Testament, echoes this in Romans 1: 20.

Psalm 50: 5-6, God is righteous

 "Gather to me my consecrated ones, 

who made a covenant with me by sacrifice."

 And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, 

for God himself is judge.

Selah.

God is righteous; even the heavens proclaim his righteousness.  (How do the heavens show righteousness? Or power?) 

God's covenant people must be prepared to face God's righteousness and so are to approach Him through the covenant and its sacrifices.

Psalm 50: 7, Listen why I speak against you

 "Hear, O my people, and I will speak, O Israel,

 and I will testify against you: 

I am God, your God.

The people of Israel are called before God. How are they doing?

Psalm 50: 8-15, God has no need of sacrifice

 I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, 

which are ever before me.

 I have no need of a bull from your stall 

or of goats from your pens,

 for every animal of the forest is mine, 

and the cattle on a thousand hills.

I know every bird in the mountains, 

and the creatures of the field are mine.

 If I were hungry I would not tell you, 

for the world is mine, 

and all that is in it.

 Do I eat the flesh of bulls 

or drink the blood of goats?

 Sacrifice thank offerings to God,

 fulfill your vows to the Most High,

 and call upon me in the day of trouble; 

I will deliver you, 

and you will honor me."

One can offer empty sacrifices without devotion to YHWH. It is really not the sacrifices that matter. Sacrifices do not feed God! He has no need of them, as He owns all creation. Instead the sacrifices offer a chance for the people to call upon God and give themselves to Him.

Psalm 50: 16-20, Wicked recite the law

 But to the wicked, God says: 

"What right have you to recite my laws 

or take my covenant on your lips?

 You hate my instruction 

and cast my words behind you.

 When you see a thief, you join with him; 

you throw in your lot with adulterers.

 You use your mouth for evil 

and harness your tongue to deceit.

 You speak continually against your brother 

and slander your own mother's son.

God is aware of the wicked, even when they hypocritically recite His laws.  He is not impressed by their outward appearances. The wicked, even though they outwardly give sacrifices, are excused, quickly here, of violating the seventh, eighth and ninth of the Ten Commandments, while accusing others.

Psalm 50: 21-22, "I am not like you"

 These things you have done and I kept silent; 

you thought I was altogether like you.

 But I will rebuke you and accuse you to your face.

 "Consider this, you who forget God, 

or I will tear you to pieces, with none to rescue:

Just because God is silent does not mean He is unaware of the actions and thoughts of the wicked. In their arrogance, the wicked think they understand God and can ignore him.

Psalm 50: 23, True honor

He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, 

and he prepares the way 

so that I may show him the salvation of God."

Instead of empty sacrifices, God looks to those who are genuinely thankful in their sacrifices and offerings.