Logos Bible Study

Psalm 50:14–16

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50:14Present to God a thank-offering!

Repay your vows to the sovereign One!22

50:15Pray to me when you are in trouble!23

I will deliver you, and you will honor me!”24

50:16God says this to the evildoer:25

“How can you declare my commands,

and talk about my covenant?26

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Footnotes

  1. 22 Heb “Most High.” This divine title (עֶלְיוֹן, ’elyon) pictures God as the exalted ruler of the universe who vindicates the innocent and judges the wicked. See especially Pss 7:17; 9:2; 18:13; 21:7; 47:2.
  2. 23 Heb “call [to] me in a day of trouble.”
  3. 24 In vv. 7–15 the Lord makes it clear that he was not rebuking Israel because they had failed to offer sacrifices (v. 8a). On the contrary, they had been faithful in doing so (v. 8b). However, their understanding of the essence of their relationship with God was confused. Apparently they believed that he needed/desired such sacrifices and that offering them would ensure their prosperity. But the Lord owns all the animals of the world and did not need Israel’s meager sacrifices (vv. 9–13). Other aspects of the relationship were more important to the Lord. He desired Israel to be thankful for his blessings (v. 14a), to demonstrate gratitude for his intervention by repaying the vows they made to him (v. 14b), and to acknowledge their absolute dependence on him (v. 15a). Rather than viewing their sacrifices as somehow essential to God’s well-being, they needed to understand their dependence on him.
  4. 25 Heb “evil [one].” The singular adjective is used here in a representative sense; it refers to those within the larger covenant community who have blatantly violated the Lord’s commandments. In the psalms the “wicked” (רְשָׁעִים, résha’im) are typically proud, practical atheists (Ps 10:2, 4, 11) who hate God’s commands, commit sinful deeds, speak lies and slander, and cheat others (Ps 37:21).
  5. 26 Heb “What to you to declare my commands and lift up my covenant upon your mouth?” The rhetorical question expresses sarcastic amazement. The Lord is shocked that such evildoers would give lip-service to his covenantal demands, for their lifestyle is completely opposed to his standards (see vv. 18–20).

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,

and perform your vows to the Most High,

and call upon me in the day of trouble;

I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”

But to the wicked God says:

“What right have you to recite my statutes

or take my covenant on your lips?

NIVNew International Version (2011)

“Sacrifice thank offerings to God,

fulfill your vows to the Most High,

and call on me in the day of trouble;

I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”

But to the wicked person, God says:

“What right have you to recite my laws

or take my covenant on your lips?

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Offer a thanksgiving sacrifice to God,

and pay your vows to the Most High.

Call on me in a day of trouble;

I will rescue you, and you will honor me.”

But God says to the wicked:

“What right do you have to recite my statutes

and to take my covenant on your lips?

NLTNew Living Translation

Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God,

and keep the vows you made to the Most High.

Then call on me when you are in trouble,

and I will rescue you,

and you will give me glory.”

But God says to the wicked:

“Why bother reciting my decrees

and pretending to obey my covenant?

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Offer to God a thank offering

and pay your vows to the Most High.

And call me in the day of trouble;

I will deliver you, and you will glorify me.”

But to the wicked God says,

“What right have you to recite my statutes

and mention my covenant with your mouth,

KJV 1900King James Version

Offer unto God thanksgiving;

And pay thy vows unto the most High:

And call upon me in the day of trouble:

I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

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?