USB ~ Psalms 50

The Acceptable Sacrifice

1 A psalm of Asaph. The God of gods, the LORD, has spoken and summoned the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. a

2 From Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth. b

3 Our God comes and will not be silent! Devouring fire precedes him, it rages strongly around him. c

4 He calls to the heavens above and to the earth to judge his people:

5 “Gather my loyal ones to me, those who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”

6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness, for God himself is the judge. d Selah

7 “Listen, my people, I will speak; Israel, I will testify against you; God, your God, am I.

8 Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you, your burnt offerings are always before me.

9 I will not take a bullock from your house, or he-goats from your folds. e

10 For every animal of the forest is mine, beasts by the thousands on my mountains.

11 I know every bird in the heights; whatever moves in the wild is mine.

12 Were I hungry, I would not tell you, for mine is the world and all that fills it. f

13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of he-goats?

14 Offer praise as your sacrifice to God; g fulfill your vows to the Most High.

15 Then call on me on the day of distress; h I will rescue you, and you shall honor me.”

III

16 But to the wicked God says: “Why do you recite my commandments and profess my covenant with your mouth?

17 You hate discipline; you cast my words behind you!

18 If you see a thief, you run with him; with adulterers you throw in your lot.

19 You give your mouth free rein for evil; you yoke your tongue to deceit.

20 You sit and speak against your brother, slandering your mother’s son.

21 When you do these things should I be silent? Do you think that I am like you? I accuse you, I lay out the matter before your eyes.

22 “Now understand this, you who forget God, lest I start ripping apart and there be no rescuer.

23 Those who offer praise as a sacrifice honor me; I will let him whose way is steadfast look upon the salvation of God.” i

Footnotes

†. Psalm 50 A covenant lawsuit stating that the sacrifice God really wants is the sacrifice of praise accompanied by genuine obedience (cf. Mi 6:1-8). It begins with a theophany and the summoning of the court (Ps 50:1-6). Then in direct address God explains what is required of the faithful (Ps 50:7-15), rebukes the hypocritical worshiper (Ps 50:16-21), and concludes with a threat and a promise (Ps 50:22-23; cf. Is 1:19-20).

50:1 Dt 10:17; Jos 22:22.
50:2 Ps 48:2.
50:3 Ps 97:3; Dn 7:10.
50:6 Ps 19:2; 97:6.
50:9 Ps 69:32; Am 5:21-22.
50:12 Ps 24:1; 89:12; Dt 10:14; 1 Cor 10:26.
50:14 Heb 13:15.
50:15 Ps 77:3.
50:23 Ps 91:16.