PSALMS 50
We will begin by giving Psalm 50 in metre so you can see how
easily it could be sung.
THE PSALMS OF DAVID IN METRE
Chapter 50
Verse 1 "The mighty God Jehovah spoke, And called the earth upon,
Even from the rising of the sun To where he goeth down."
Verse 2 "Where beauty in perfection shines, And crowns the hill of
God, Ev'n Zion hill, from thence the Lord In glory shone
abroad.
Verse 3 "Our God shall come, nor silence keep, Jehovah shall speak
out: Before him fire shall waste, great storms shall compass
him about.
Verse 4 "He to the heavens from above, And to the earth below Shall
call that he his judgment may Before his people show.
Verse 5 "Now unto me let all my saints Together gathered be, Those
that by sacrifice have made A covenant with me.
Verse 6 "And then the heavens shall declare His righteousness abroad;
Because the Lord himself doth come None else is judge but
God."
Verse 7 "Hear, O my people, and I'll speak; O Israel by name, Against
thee I will testify; For God, thy God, I am."
Verse 8 "Because of sacrifices, I Reprove thee never will, Nor for
burnt-off'rings which have been Before me offered still."
Verse 9 "I'll take no bullock nor he-goats From house nor folds of
thine, For beasts of forests, cattle all On thousand hills,
are mine.
Verse 10 "The fowls are all to me well known That mountains high do
yield; I also claim as all my own The wild beasts of the
field.
Verse 11 "If I were hungry, I would not To thee for need complain; For
earth and all the fulness, doth To me of right pertain."
Verse 12 "That I to eat the flesh of bulls Take pleasure dost thou
think? Or that, to quench my thirst, I need The blood of
goats to drink?"
Verse 13 "Nay, rather unto me thy God, Thanksgiving offer thou; To him
who is the Lord Most High, pay faithfully thy vow.
Verse 14 "And when the day of trouble comes, Thou unto me shalt cry; I
will deliver thee, and thou My name shalt glorify."
Verse 15 "But to the wicked man God saith, Why shouldst thou mention
make of my commands: Why dost thou in thy mouth my cov'nant
take:"
Verse 16 "Since thou instruction in thy way Perversely hated hast,
And since my words behind Thy back thou with contempt dost
cast.
Verse 17 "When thou didst see a thief, with him Thou didst consent in
sin, And with the vile adulterers, Partaker thou hast been.
Verse 18 "Thy mouth to evil thou dost give, Thy tongue deceit doth
frame. Thou sitst thy brother to revile, Thy mother's son to
shame."
Verse 19 "These things thou wickedly hast done, And I have silent
been; Thou thoughtst that I was like thyself, And did
approve thy sin."
Verse 20 "But I will sharply thee reprove For this thy evil way. And
All thy wicked deeds I will before thy face array."
Verse 21 "Consider this, and be afraid, Ye that forget the Lord, Lest
I in pieces tear you all, When none can help afford."
Verse 22 "He glorifies my name who brings The sacrifice of praise;
I'll God's salvation show to him Who orders right his ways."
We will now begin in the verse by verse study of chapter 50 of
Psalms. Psalms 50:1 "{A Psalm of Asaph.} The mighty God, [even] the
LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun
unto the going down thereof."
In the Hebrew, this reads El, Elohim, Jehovah. Could the use of
these three names for God used with a singular verb in some way be
saying the same thing as is said in 1 John? I John 5:7 "For there are
three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy
Ghost: and these three are one." The secret of the three being One
will never be truly understood, until we stand before God in heaven.
My own personal opinion of this is that there are three separate
personalities of God Who are One in Spirit. God is Spirit, God is
Light, and God is Love. Enough said. I will not get into an argument
over this. Everyone has a right to believe as they wish. It truly is
not important whether there are three in one, or one in three. The
thing that we all must believe, is that He is and that He redeems
those that believe that He is. Almighty God means self existing One.
We do know that, when He speaks, all the world must listen. In verse
1, above, it can not only mean God speaking and us listening, but it
can, also, mean that He called the world into existence with His Word.
Psalms 50:2 "Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath
shined."
We must look at this with spiritual eyes to understand. Zion is
symbolic of the church. The only true beauty in this sinful world is
the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. We learned in Revelation that the
Light of Jesus is in all churches who profess Jesus as the Christ. The
Light of God should shine from the church as a beacon to draw the
sinful world to the Lord.
Psalms 50:3 "Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a
fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round
about him."
I believe this Scripture is prophetic of the very time we live
in. Look, with me, at the next Scriptures about the coming of the
Lord. I Thessalonians 4:16 "For the Lord himself shall descend from
heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the
trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:" I
Thessalonians 4:17 "Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be
caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the
air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." Look, with me, at what
God is. Hebrews 12:29 "For our God [is] a consuming fire." To
understand the Lord Jesus, more fully, read 2nd Thessalonians chapter
one. I will give just a few verses here to show that Jesus is not just
Saviour, but Judge as well. II Thessalonians 1:7 "And to you who are
troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from
heaven with his mighty angels," II Thessalonians 1:8 "In flaming fire
taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the
gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:" II Thessalonians 1:9 "Who shall be
punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord,
and from the glory of his power;" II Thessalonians 1:10 "When he shall
come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that
believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day."
Just as fire came from the altar and killed Aaron's 2 sons who brought
strange fire, Jesus is the Judge who brings destruction to
unbelievers.
Psalms 50:4 "He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the
earth, that he may judge his people."
Jesus is the Judge of all in heaven, and earth, and under the
earth. All the world shall stand before the Lord on judgement day. The
sad thing is that judgement begins at the house of the Lord. People,
the church will be separated first. You say, how can I say such a
thing? Not all who say Lord, Lord will be saved. Jesus looks into the
heart. He judges what He sees in our heart. Matthew 7:21 "Not every
one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of
heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."
Matthew 7:22 "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not
prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in
thy name done many wonderful works?" Matthew 7:23 "And then will I
profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work
iniquity." Jesus gave His precious blood on Calvary to save all who
would believe. The Scripture from Matthew, above, indicates that, not
all who say they believe, actually believe in their heart. We must all
examine our self, and see if we truly do believe in our heart.
Psalms 50:5 "Gather my saints together unto me; those that have
made a covenant with me by sacrifice."
The angels shall put in the sickle and reap at this time, and the
wheat {believers in Christ} shall be carried to stand before Jesus in
heaven. The Sacrifice was Jesus. Do you really believe that Jesus is
your substitute for your sin? Have you washed in the blood of the
Lamb, and been made white as snow? Have you confessed your sin to
Jesus and given your sin to Him on the cross, that you might in
exchange receive His righteousness? Who then are the saints of God?
Read Romans chapter 10 verses 9 and 10, and you will find the answer.
The covenant was the Abrahamic covenant. Abraham's faith was counted
unto him for righteousness. Galatians 3:29 "And if ye [be] Christ's,
then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."
Our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only sacrifice we need.
Psalms 50:6 "And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for
God [is] judge himself. Selah."
Jesus is Righteousness. He is the Truth, He is Life, He is Light,
He is Love. All of the beings in heaven shall shout praises to God. We
know that the angels cry holy around the throne. Selah, here, means
pause and think on these things.
Psalms 50:7 "Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I
will testify against thee: I [am] God, [even] thy God."
These next few verses are spoken to both the physical house of
Israel {Hebrews} and the spiritual house of Israel {Christians}. The
request for us to hear is hearing with the inner man, not with the
ear. If we do not examine ourself, God will do it for us. God speaks
against the physical house of Israel and condemns them for not
recognizing Jesus as Messiah. His chosen people, over and over went
astray and worshipped other gods. When He sent His own Son, they
rejected Him. The two times mentioned, that He is God is to show that
there is no question at all about it. God had chosen the physical
house of Israel out of all people to be His. He showed His love for
them, when He brought them out of Egypt with His mighty Hand. They, of
all nations of the world, were intrusted with the law of God. They
were His first love. They were like the harlot wife in the book of
Hosea. They committed spiritual adultery over and over, and He
forgave them over and over. Nevertheless, He is still their God.
Psalms 50:8 "I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy
burnt offerings, [to have been] continually before me."
God does not reprimand them for not keeping the very letter of
the law. He is concerned about something far more serious. They knew
the law, but they never had a personal relationship with the Lawgiver.
Many churches are making this same mistake today. They go through the
formality of a church service, but they are not in tune with the
Spirit of God. They have a religion, but not a relationship with God.
In 2nd Timothy chapter 3, it is called a form of religion, but denying
the power thereof.
Psalms 50:9 "I will take no bullock out of thy house, [nor] he
goats out of thy folds."
These were animals used in sacrifices. God really was not ever
interested in the formality of the offerings and the sacrifices. He
wanted their hearts to understand the meaning.
Psalms 50:10 "For every beast of the forest [is] mine, [and] the
cattle upon a thousand hills." Psalms 50:11 "I know all the fowls of
the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field [are] mine."
He is Creator God and everything was created by Him and for Him.
The Creator is always in control of His creation. The world, and
everything, and everyone belong to Him. He can do whatever He wishes
with His creation.
Psalms 50:12 "If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the
world [is] mine, and the fulness thereof."
He is saying, if He wanted it, He would just take it. Everything
is His anyway.
Psalms 50:13 "Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood
of goats?"
God has no need of anything. Certainly, He is not guided by
appetite as a man.
Psalms 50:14 "Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto
the most High:"
The offerings we make to God should be given, because we are
thankful for what God has done for us, and not because of the
neccesity to give. II Corinthians 9:7 "Every man according as he
purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of
necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." Vows would be like
tithes, or things you have promised to give.
Psalms 50:15 "And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will
deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me."
Verse 15 is the rest of verse 14. He is saying, if you are
faithful to me, I will be faithful to you. If you truly have your
heart stayed upon God and desire to please Him in all that you do,
Pray and I will answer your prayer. The effectual fervent prayer of a
righteous man availeth much.
Psalms 50:16 "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?"
This is saying, why do you say you are a believer when you are
not? This is a Christian in word only. These have not just neglected
to keep the law, but are outright liars. You say you are believers in
God, but your actions tell me differently. He says, How dare you say
you belong to me?
Psalms 50:17 "Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my
words behind thee."
These people claim to be believers, and have never studied God's
Word to find out what a believer really is. This is the person who is
rebellious. They do not want the Holy Spirit, or any one, telling them
what to do. They are not teachable. They will not even read the Bible
for themselves, and let it teach them.
Psalms 50:18 "When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst
with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers."
This is what I have said so often. Do not fellowship with those
who are involved in sinful acts. If you do not condemn stealing, then
you are a thief yourself. The law calls you an accomplice. If you
fellowship with those who commit adultery, then it is as if you are
saying it is alright to commit adultery. In both cases, you are guilty
by association.
Psalms 50:19 "Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue
frameth deceit." Psalms 50:20 "Thou sittest [and] speakest against thy
brother; thou slanderest thine own mother's son."
This is speaking of a talebearer and someone who stirs up strife
among the brethren. We are looking at a two-faced evil person. Their
tongue is set on the fires of hell. This is the opposite of do unto
others, as you would have them do unto you. This is a tongue of an
evil person forming words fashioned in an evil heart.
Psalms 50:21 "These [things] hast thou done, and I kept silence;
thou thoughtest that I was altogether [such an one] as thyself: [but]
I will reprove thee, and set [them] in order before thine eyes."
Because God is longsuffering and patient, they thought He would
not do what His Word says He will. They were wrong. God was trying to
give them time to repent. He is not willing that any should be lost.
He will not overrule their will. If they are determined for
destruction, then He will give them destruction.
Psalms 50:22 "Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear
[you] in pieces, and [there be] none to deliver."
He is giving these terrible people one more warning to try to
reach them, if it is at all possible. If Satan attacks a person, they
can run to God for help. If God attacks you, there is no one above Him
to save you. He is saying for the last time, if I have to I will
destroy you, but I do not want to destroy you, if you will take this
warning and repent.
Psalms 50:23 "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him
that ordereth [his] conversation [aright] will I shew the salvation of
God."
Praise is the sacrifice that God really wants from us. Look at
this next beautiful Scripture with me. Romans 10:10 "For with the
heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession
is made unto salvation." My last statement on this is; repent and
receive the righteousness of Jesus, truly believe in your heart,
confess Jesus Christ with your mouth, and believe in your heart His
resurrection and YOU will be saved.
Questions 50
1. Who has spoken in verse 11 of this lesson?
2. How far reaching is this message?
3. In Hebrew, what three names of God are in verse 1?
4. Why does the author believe a singular verb was used with the
three?
5. Quote 1 John chapter 5 verse 7.
6. What does Almighty God mean?
7. What is Zion symbolic of?
8. What is the only truly beautiful thing in this sinful world?
9. Which churches have the Light of Jesus?
10. Why is it important for the Light of God to shine brightly in the
churches?
11. What does 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 tell us about the coming of
the Lord?
12. Quote Hebrews chapter 12 verse 29.
13. Who takes vengeance on those who know not God?
14. Who will the Lord be glorified in?
15. Where does judgement begin?
16. Who is the Judge of all?
17. Will all people who profess Christianity be saved?
18. Who was the sacrifice for the believer?
19. Do you really believe that Jesus was your Substitute for your sin?
20. Who are the saints of God?
21. What was the covenant verse 5 is speaking of?
22. What does verse 6 say shall declare His righteousness?
23. Who is verse 7 of the lesson addressed to?
24. Who, of all nations of the world, were intrusted with God's law?
25. The spiritual adultery that Israel committed over and over against
God can be compared to what book in the Bible?
26. Many people have a religion, but do not have a ________ with God.
27. Jesus was Creator God and all things were made __ Him and ___ Him.
28. Quote Psalms chapter 50 verse 14.
29. What are the vows mentioned in this verse?
30. What kind of prayer availeth much?
31. Who is verse 16 talking about?
32. Who hatest instruction?
33. Verse 18 is speaking of sin by __________.
34. Why had God been silent up until now about their sin?
35. Whoso offereth praise __________me.
36. What is the sacrifice that God really wants from us?
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