Psalms 50:12-22

12 If I were hungry, I wouldn't tell you. The world belongs to me. And so does everything in it.
13 Do I eat the meat of bulls? Do I drink the blood of goats?
14 Bring me thank offerings, because I am your God. Carry out the promises you made to me, because I am the Most High God.
15 Call out to me when trouble comes. I will save you. And you will honor me."
16 But here is what God says to sinful people. "What right do you have to speak the words of my laws? How dare you speak the words of my covenant!
17 You hate my teaching. You turn your back on what I say.
18 When you see a thief, you join him. You make friends with those who commit adultery.
19 You use your mouth to speak evil. You use your tongue to spread lies.
20 You always speak against your brother. You always tell lies about your own mother's son.
21 You have done those things, and I kept silent. So you thought I was just like you. But now I'm going to correct you. I will bring charges against you.
22 "You who forget God, think about this. If you don't, I will tear you to pieces. No one will be able to save you.

Psalms 50:12-22 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 50

\\<>\\. This psalm is called a psalm of Asaph; either because it was composed by him under divine inspiration, since he was a prophet and a seer, 1Ch 25:2, 2Ch 29:30; or because it was delivered to him to be sung in public service, he being a chief musician; see 1Ch 16:7; and so it may be rendered, "a psalm for Asaph"; or "unto Asaph" {o}; which was directed, sent, and delivered to him, and might be written by David; and, as Junius thinks, after the angel had appeared to him, and he was directed where he should build an altar to the Lord, 1Ch 21:18. The Targum, Kimchi, and R. Obadiah Gaon, interpret this psalm of the day of judgment; and Jarchi takes it to be a prophecy of the future redemption by their expected Messiah; and indeed it does refer to the times of the Gospel dispensation; for it treats of the calling of the Gentiles, of the abrogation of legal sacrifices, and of the controversy the Lord would have with the Jews for retaining them, and rejecting pure, spiritual, and evangelical worship. {o} Poal "ipsi Asaph", Tigurine version, Vatablus; "Asapho", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; so Ainsworth.

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