Psalm 50

Authorship

This psalm was authored by Asaph.

Outline

(This began as Wendland's Expository Outline, but may be adapted.)

I. The Judge. (1-3, 6-7)

A. His summons:

1. The mighty God has spoken and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.

B. His splendor:

1. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God has shined.

2. Our God shall come and shall not keep silence.

3. A fire shall devour before Him.

4. It shall be very tempestuous round about Him.

C. His sovereignty.

1. He is judge.

2. He is God.

3. He will testify against them.

II. The judged. He will testify against... (4-5)

A. All heaven.

B. All earth:

1. His people:

a. The saints.

b. Those who have made covenant with Him and not kept it.

2. Unrepentant people (sinners).

III. The judgment. (8-21)

A. The judgment of God’s people:

1. It is not related to sacrifices or burnt offerings or the animals offered.

a. All beasts, cattle, and fowls used for sacrifices belong to Him already.

b. The world and all that is in it belongs to God.

c. He doesn’t eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats.

2. It is related to:

a. The lack of sacrifice of thanksgiving to God.

b. Vows made to God which were not kept

c. Not turning to Him in times of trouble.

3. The results:

a. Deliverance when God’s people call on Him in trouble.

b. God being glorified.

IV. The judgment of the wicked is because: (16-22)

A. They rejected God’s covenant and statutes.

B. They hate instruction.

C. They disregard God’s Word.

D. They partook of evil:

1. Adultery.

2. Evil speaking.

3. Deceit.

4. Slander.

E. They thought God was ignoring their evil because He was silent for a time.

F. They forgot God, so they have no one to deliver them.

V. The proper response to impending judgment. (23)

A. We should glorify God for it by praising Him.

B. We should order our conversation aright (not complain about God’s impending judgment).

C. We should accept His offer of salvation.

Textual Criticism

The following is from Barthélemy's Critique textuelle de l’Ancien Testament volume on the Psalms. For a key to the various symbols and abbreviations, click here.

Ps 50,11 הָרִים {C} MT, Hebr, T(2) // usu: G, S, T(1) clav שמים

Ps 50,18 וַתִּרֶץ {B} MT, Hebr // exeg: G? S? T?

Ps 50,23 וְשָׂם {B} MT // lic: σ', Hebr, T / err-punt: m, G, S וְשָׁם