The Lord Came to Judge
October 28, 2019
Commentary
This is the first of twelve Psalms (50 and 73-83) written by Asaph, one of David’s three chief musicians appointed to be the choir director over the sacred choral services of Israel (I Chron. 16:15). He was selected by the Levites to lead the music when David brought the ark to Jerusalem (I Chron. 15:16-17). Although the beginning verses in this chapter (vv. 1-2) sound like a praise Psalm, the straight forwardness of verse 3 suggests that God had unpleasant business to conduct (v. 3). That purpose is specifically stated (v. 4) as He is to judge His people. The worshipers are summoned to give account of their integrity in the matter of sacrificing (v. 5). It appears that they had been unfaithful to the covenant they had made with God or such a charge would not be warranted. God will send no deputy, no lieutenant, no angel to do His work of judgment (v. 6). This is a task He must do Himself. God’s people must realize that true worship does not consist of mere sacrifice, but of sacrifice offered with thanksgiving and faithfulness (vv. 7-13).
At the time referred to in this Psalm Israel had reinstated the sacrificial system. It had rebuilt the altar in Jerusalem and reinstated the offering of sacrifices as in ancient times. Gathering the faithful of Israel together, the God of gods will now indicate what type of worship is acceptable to Him (v. 7). While His chosen people abounded in outward sacrifice and burnt offerings, they seriously neglected the sacrifice of heart devotion toward Him (vv. 8-9). It seems that the Jews were treating the sacrifices as though they were doing God a favor in offering them to Him. Simply giving to God a bullock or a goat could never please Him, for every beast of the forest and all the cattle on a thousand hills already belong to Him (vv. 10-11). He had no need for animals; what He wanted was heart dedication. It is not the sacrifice that brings pleasure to God, but rather the willing and cheerful attitude of the sacrificer. If it were possible for God to be hungry, He would have no reason to tell man; for the entire world and everything in it already belongs to Him (vv. 12-13).
Application
What am I doing to let the Lord know that I love Him and really desire to please Him? It is so easy to be a hypocrite by having "a form of godliness and deny the power thereof" (II Tim. 3:5).
Psalms 50:1–13 (NET)
1 El, God, the Lord has spoken, and summoned the earth to come from the east and west.
2 From Zion, the most beautiful of all places, God has come in splendor.
3 “May our God come and not be silent.” Consuming fire goes ahead of him, and all around him a storm rages.
4 He summons the heavens above, as well as the earth, so that he might judge his people.
5 He says: “Assemble my covenant people before me, those who ratified a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
6 The heavens declare his fairness, for God is judge. (Selah)
7 He says: “Listen, my people. I am speaking! Listen, Israel. I am accusing you. I am God, your God!
8 I am not condemning you because of your sacrifices, or because of your burnt sacrifices that you continually offer me.
9 I do not need to take a bull from your household or goats from your sheepfolds.
10 For every wild animal in the forest belongs to me, as well as the cattle that graze on a thousand hills.
11 I keep track of every bird in the hills, and the insects of the field are mine.
12 Even if I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and all it contains belong to me.
13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls? Do I drink the blood of goats?
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