Psalms Reading – 2.16.2022
Psalm 50
A psalm of Asaph.
1 The Mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun to where it sets.
2 From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth.
3 Our God comes and will not be silent; a fire devours before him, and around him a tempest rages.
4 He summons the heavens above, and the earth, that he may judge his people:
5 “Gather to me this consecrated people, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
6 And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, for he is a God of justice.
2 From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth.
3 Our God comes and will not be silent; a fire devours before him, and around him a tempest rages.
4 He summons the heavens above, and the earth, that he may judge his people:
5 “Gather to me this consecrated people, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
6 And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, for he is a God of justice.
7 “Listen, my people, and I will speak; I will testify against you, Israel: I am God, your God.
8 I bring no charges against you concerning your sacrifices
or concerning your burnt offerings, which are ever before me.
9 I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens,
10 for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine.
12 If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it.
13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?
8 I bring no charges against you concerning your sacrifices
or concerning your burnt offerings, which are ever before me.
9 I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens,
10 for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine.
12 If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it.
13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?
14 “Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High,
15 and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”
15 and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”
16 But to the wicked person, God says: “What right have you to recite my laws
or take my covenant on your lips? 17 You hate my instruction and cast my words behind you.
18 When you see a thief, you join with him; you throw in your lot with adulterers.
19 You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit.
20 You sit and testify against your brother and slander your own mother’s son.
21 When you did these things and I kept silent, you thought I was exactly like you.
But I now arraign you and set my accusations before you.
or take my covenant on your lips? 17 You hate my instruction and cast my words behind you.
18 When you see a thief, you join with him; you throw in your lot with adulterers.
19 You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit.
20 You sit and testify against your brother and slander your own mother’s son.
21 When you did these things and I kept silent, you thought I was exactly like you.
But I now arraign you and set my accusations before you.
22 “Consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you:
23 Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me, and to the blameless I will show my salvation.”
23 Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me, and to the blameless I will show my salvation.”
This is a rare psalm where God is the one speaking rather than the psalmist speaking to God or to others about God. Through Asaph, a director of worship, God speaks that His people do not understand the purpose of sacrifice or the essence of a relationship with Him.
Unlike what many think, God is not indebted to those who bring sacrifices. They are not favors bestowed upon God or food that he needs to survive. He owns it all and has everything He would ever need if He actually were hungry.
Instead, the purpose of sacrifice or true worship is to be a heartfelt response of thanksgiving for who God is and what He has already done for His people. Of the five major offerings, the fellowship offering was the only one that allowed the worshiper to participate in the communal meal associated with it. Included among these were thank offerings which were voluntarily given as an expression of love and gratitude to God. They symbolized rich fellowship and peace with God. Far from forced, routine ritual, God wants our hearts filled with thanksgiving, freely offered vows of devotion, and genuine prayers of petition. The God of the universe wants a real relationship with us!
Memory Verse: Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Question(s) to Consider: In light of this psalm, what would God say to you about your worship? Would he say it was routine or heartfelt? Freely offered or forced? A duty or a delight?