Psalms 50

Ps 50:1-23.

In the grandeur and solemnity of a divine judgment, God is introduced

as instructing men in the nature of true worship, exposing hypocrisy,

warning the wicked, and encouraging the pious.

1-4. The description of this majestic appearance of God resembles

that of His giving the law (compare

Ex 19:16; 20:18;

De 32:1).

4. above--literally, "above"

(Ge 1:7).

heavens . . . earth--For all creatures are witnesses

(De 4:26; 30:19;

Isa 1:2).

5. my saints--

(Ps 4:3).

made--literally, "cut"

a covenant, &c.--alluding to the dividing of a victim of sacrifice, by

which covenants were ratified, the parties passing between the divided

portions (compare

Ge 15:10, 18).

6. The inhabitants of heaven, who well know God's character, attest

His righteousness as a judge.

7. I will testify--that is, for failure to worship aught.

thy God--and so, by covenant as well as creation, entitled to a pure

worship.

8-15. However scrupulous in external worship, it was offered as if

they conferred an obligation in giving God His own, and with a

degrading view of Him as needing it

[Ps 50:9-13].

Reproving them for such foolish and blasphemous notions, He teaches

them to offer, or literally, "sacrifice," thanksgiving, and pay,

or perform, their vows--that is, to bring, with the external symbolical

service, the homage of the heart, and faith, penitence, and love. To

this is added an invitation to seek, and a promise to afford, all

needed help in trouble.

16-20. the wicked--that is, the formalists, as now exposed, and who

lead vicious lives (compare

Ro 2:21, 23).

They are unworthy to use even the words of God's law. Their hypocrisy

and vice are exposed by illustrations from sins against the seventh,

eighth, and ninth commandments.

21, 22. God, no longer (even in appearance) disregarding such,

exposes their sins and threatens a terrible punishment.

22. forget God--This denotes unmindfulness of His true character.

23. offereth praise--

(Ps 50:14),

so that the external worship is a true index of the heart.

ordereth . . . aright--acts in a straight, right

manner, opposed to turning aside

(Ps 25:5).

In such, pure worship and a pure life evince their true piety, and they

will enjoy God's presence and favor.