Psalms 50:11-21

11 I know every bird on the mountains, and every living thing in the fields is mine.

12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you, because the earth and everything in it are mine.

13 I don't eat the meat of bulls or drink the blood of goats.

14 Give an offering to show thanks to God. Give God Most High what you have promised.

15 Call to me in times of trouble. I will save you, and you will honor me."

16 But God says to the wicked, "Why do you talk about my laws? Why do you mention my agreement?

17 You hate my teachings and turn your back on what I say.

18 When you see a thief, you join him. You take part in adultery.

19 You don't stop your mouth from speaking evil, and your tongue makes up lies.

20 You speak against your brother and lie about your mother's son.

21 I have kept quiet while you did these things, so you thought I was just like you. But I will scold you and accuse you to your face.

Psalms 50:11-21 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.