50:title A psalm of Asaph The first psalm attributed to Asaph. Most of the psalms attributed to Asaph are found in Book Three (Pss 73–89). See note on 73:title.

David and the Psalm Titles

50:1 The Supreme God, God, Yahweh The psalmist uses three consecutive Hebrew names for God: el, elohim, and yhwh. Taken together, the names emphasize God’s supremacy as Creator of the earth and God of Israel.

The Name Theology of the Old Testament

50:2 Zion A reference to the temple mount or Jerusalem in general. See note on 20:2.

the perfection of beauty See note on 48:2.

God shines forth Describes God as shining forth from His city (Jerusalem). His appearance in the wilderness is described the same way (Deut 33:2).

50:3 Our God comes God appears with frightening power. Fire and storms accompany Him as He comes to speak.

50:4 the heavens above and the earth God summons His creation to act as witness as He judges His people. In the works of the prophets, God often calls heaven and earth as witnesses. See Isa 1:2 and note.

50:5 loyal ones The Hebrew term chasid used here refers to people who are faithful to God’s covenant (see Ps 32:6 and note).

50:6 the heavens declare As God’s witness, the heavens testify to His righteousness—showing His ability to make things right, to establish things as they should be.

his righteousness Refers to God’s just judgment (see note on 9:8; note on 33:5).

God himself is judge The psalms frequently depict God as the righteous judge over the world. See 9:7–12; note on 9:7; note on 9:8.

50:7 Hear, O my people God addresses His people; He reminds them of their covenant with Him using speech similar to the covenant formula of Lev 26:12. See Ezek 11:20 and note.

50:8 It is not concerning a lack of your sacrifices The ot consistently maintains that God does not delight in sacrifices when they are only outward expressions of religion (1 Sam 15:22). See note on Ps 40:6.

that I rebuke you The term yakhach can mean “to punish” or “to discipline” (6:2). It is also used in legal contexts to mean “to argue” or “to refute” (Job 13:3; 32:12).

50:14 a thank offering While the Hebrew term used here can indicate a specific type of thanksgiving sacrifice (Lev 7:12), here it most likely signifies that God prefers an attitude of thanksgiving over sacrifice. Instead of animal sacrifices, God desires a sacrifice of thanksgiving (todah).

vows to the Most High A promise made to God, usually in times of distress (1 Sam 1:10–11). Vows usually involved a promise to pay something back to God in return for His favor. See note on Eccl 5:4.

50:15 in the day of trouble God desires His people to trust and rely on Him—no matter what the circumstances.

50:17 while you yourself hate discipline See Prov 3:11 and note.

50:20 speak against your brother See Ps 15:3 and note.

50:21 You imagined that I was just like you In addition to the sins He attributes to the wicked in vv. 17–20, God rebukes His people for their attitude toward Him. They viewed God’s silence as a sign that He was unable to judge them.

present an argument The Hebrew term arakh used here means “to get ready” or “set in order.” While it can describe preparation for battle (1 Sam 17:2), here it indicates the presenting of a legal case (Job 13:18; 23:4). With the heavens and earth as His witnesses (see Ps 50:4 and note), God has given evidence for the misdeeds of the wicked.

50:22 consider this, you who forget God God warns His people they should heed His work or He will punish them.

I tear you apart See 7:2 and note.

there will be none to deliver Those who neglect a relationship with God find themselves with no God to rescue them during adversity (see v. 15 and note).

50:23 He who sacrifices a thank offering See note on v. 14.